RNaseq data suggestion of a role for HTS in mediating activation of the p53 signaling axis. Down-regulated (A) and up-regulated (B) pathways in the RNaseq screening of SAECs cells, either control or treated with hypertonic saline (HTS). Consistent with the tumor protein p53 signaling pathway ranking top in (B), significant up-regulation of TP53 and its downstream targets, p21 and TP53AIP1, was confirmed in the RNaseq data set (C). RT-PCR indicated transcriptional up-regulation of TP53 in response to cytomix (CMX) treatment, alone or in combination with HTS, while HTS alone was sufficient to elicit transcriptional expression of p21 (D). In (E), increased protein expression of TP53 and p21 was observed in response to HTS treatment.