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. 2017 Jul 12;21(12):3540–3551. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.13265

Figure 7.

Figure 7

Activated RhoA is required for EP3‐mediated apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) caused by 2, 3, 7, 8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD). (A) Effects of TCDD on RhoA protein levels in HUVECs. HUVECs were treated with 40 nM TCDD for 3 min. (B–C) HUVECs were treated with the ROCK inhibitor, Y27632 (20 μM) for 12 hrs and then stimulated with 40 nM TCDD for an additional 24 hrs. Cell viability (B) and caspase 3 activity (C) of HUVECs were measured. *P < 0.05 versus vehicle, # P < 0.05 versus TCDD; n = 3. (D) Phosphorylated p38 MAPK, total p38 MAPK and Bcl‐2 expression levels were analysed by Western blot. (E) Protein expression levels of RhoA GTP, total RhoA, phosphorylated p38 MAPK, total p38 MAPK and Bcl‐2 in HUVECs transfected with EP3 siRNA or negative control siRNA with or without TCDD stimulation. (F) Schematic diagram of TCDD‐caused HUVEC apoptosis through affecting the COX‐2/PGE2/EP3/RhoA/p38MAPK/Bcl‐2 pathway.