SMCs harvested from WT or dnHMGA1 (Tg1) mice were exposed to vehicle (Veh), IL-1β (10 ng/ml), or TNF-α (10 ng/ml) for various time points (as depicted). Total RNA was extracted from the cells, and levels of (A) MCP-1 and (B) MIP-2 were measured by qRT-PCR. Data are presented as mean ± SEM, n=3 per group, with testing by one-way ANOVA (P<0.0001). Significant comparisons; * WT versus Tg1. C) WT and Tg1 mice underwent sham (– E. coli) or fibrin clot (+ E. coli) surgery. At 24 hours after surgery, tissue (spleen) and plasma were collected, and the concentration of MCP-1 was assessed using a Luminex bead assay as described in the Material and Methods. Data are represented as mean±SEM, from 3 mice per group. Analyses by one-way ANOVA (P=0.0399, spleen; P=0.0253, plasma). Significant comparisons for A and B, * versus sham groups, † versus WT E. coli group. NS = not significant.