Fig. 4.

Expression of PCSK9 and LDLR relative to GAPDH in HepG2 cells. The cells were directly stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (A and B) or recombinant TNF-α at the indicated concentration (C and D). The cells were co-cultured with macrophage-like differentiated THP-1 cells and then stimulated with P. gingivalis (MOI: 100) (E and F). The cells are transfected with TNFRI specific siRNA and then co-cultured with THP-1 cells (G). N = 3 wells per group. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.