Loss of G3BP1 alters hVSMC response to SG formation and inflammation. HVSMCs transfected with siRNA targeting G3BP1 or scrambled control were treated with clotrimazole and stained for PABP (red) (A), Arrows indicate punctate staining. SG formation was quantified using ImageJ and StarSearch software and graphed in (B), n=40. (C), qRT-PCR and (D) Western blot analysis verified G3BP1 knockdown in hVSMCs. (E) HVSMCs transfected with siRNA targeting G3BP1 or scrambled control were serum-starved and stimulated with oxLDL for 16 hours, RNA collected, and expression of atherosclerosis-related transcripts were quantitated by PCR Array. The results are graphed as SD from two independent experiments. ** P≤0.01, or *** P≤0.001.