Figure 7.

Notch1-Rbpj signalling regulates Tnf gene expression in the developing arterial valves. (A–C) Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis shows that expression of Tnf and Tnfsf10 in arterial valves of E14.5 embryos is dependent on Notch1 activity. (D–F) Immunostaining shows that expression of Tnfα proteins in valvar endothelial cells (arrows) of aortic valves is regulated by Notch1 activity. (G–I) In situ hybridization shows that expression of Tnfsf10 transcripts in the developing aortic valves (arrows) is dependent on Notch1 activity. Bar = 50 µm. (J) Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis shows expression of Tnfα and Tnfsf10 in cultured pig aortic valvar endothelial cells is regulated by Notch signalling. (K) Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis shows that conditioned media of valvar endothelial cells promotes expression of CASP3 and CASP8 by valvar interstitial cells, and the effect is dependent on Notch activation.