Figure 5.

Reduction of TJ proteins in Exo^HeLa treated HUVECs was not through ubiquitination or autophagy. (a) HUVECs were preconditioned with PBS or MG132 followed by treatment with Exo^HeLa as indicated. Protein levels of ZO-1 and CLDN5 were analysed by western blot and quantified. (b) After treated with either PBS or Exo^HeLa, HUVECs were visualized under transmission electron microscopy. Autophagosomes were indicated using black arrows. (c) HUVECs were treated with Exo^HeLa for specified times, and the protein level of mTOR, P62 and LC3B I/II was analysed by western blot. (d) HUVECs were preconditioned with PBS or CQ followed by treatment with Exo^HeLa. ZO-1 and P62 proteins were evaluated by western blot. Quantification of the proteins was shown in the bar graph. (e) Similarly, after HUVECs were treated with 3MA along with Exo^HeLa, ZO-1 and CLDN5 proteins were evaluated by western blot. Quantification of the proteins was shown in the bar graph. *P< 0.05, **P< 0.01, ***P< 0.001, ****P< 0.0001.