Fig 3. Ureaplasma-driven caspase mRNA and protein responses in HPMEC.
Following an incubation period of 4 and 30 h, mRNA levels of caspase (CASP) 3 (a), caspase 4 (b), caspase 5 (c), caspase 8 (d), and caspase 9 (e) were obtained via qRT-PCR, and relative expression was calculated using the ΔΔCT method. The percentage of viable, active caspase 3 (f), caspase 8 (g), and active caspase 9 (h) positive HPMEC was determined by flow cytometry after 24 h stimulation (the respective gating strategy is illustrated in S1 Fig). Data are presented as means ± SD from n ≥ 3 independent experiments. Cells stimulated with LPS were compared vs. control, Ureaplasma exposed cells vs. control and vs. broth. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 compared to untreated controls; † p < 0.05, and †† p < 0.01 compared to cells treated with broth. SV8: Ureaplasma urealyticum serovar 8, SV3: Ureaplasma parvum serovar 3.