Figure 5.

Role of c-Jun in heat stress-induced cell apoptosis in HUVECs. Cells were transfected with NC siRNA or c-Jun siRNA for >48 h. (A) c-Jun and GAPDH protein expression levels were determined by western blot analysis. (B) Transfected HUVECs were incubated at 37°C (control) or 43°C (heat stress) for 90 min, followed by a 12-h recovery period at 37°C. Apoptosis of HUVECs was analyzed using annexin V and propidium iodide, and the percentage of early apoptotic cells (lower right quadrant) was calculated. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. *P<0.05. HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; NC, negative control; siRNA, small interfering RNA; HS, heat stress; Cont, control.