Figure 3.

SMS2 can induce ER stress and endothelial dysfunction (ED) by inducing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. (A) The protein levels of GRP78 and CHOP were determined by a western blot analysis. (B) The protein levels of the total ATF6 and cleaved ATF6 were determined by a western blot analysis. (C) The protein levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were determined by a western blot analysis. (D) The adhesion ratio of THP-1 cells to HUVECs (magnification 40×). n = 3, * p < 0.05, and ** p < 0.001 vs. the C group; ^## p < 0.001 vs. the S group. ^& p < 0.05 and ^&& p < 0.001 vs. the PBA group. C, cells transfected with empty plasmids treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; S, cells overexpressing SMS2 treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; PBA, empty plasmids treated with 4-PBA (10 mmol/L) for 24 h and then treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h; S+PBA, cells overexpressing SMS2 treated with 4-PBA (10 mmol/L) for 24 h and then treated with H₂O₂ (450 µmol/L) for 24 h.