Fig. 4.

Dexamethasone upregulates NADPH oxidase protein levels in vascular cells and murine lungs.

(A/B) Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were stimulated with dexamethasone (Dex, 10 nM) for increasing time periods as indicated. (A) Western blot analyses were performed using antibodies against p22phox, NOX2 and NOX4. β-Actin served as loading control (n = 3,*p < 0.05 vs. Dex 0 h; (1-β) = 1). Representative blots are shown. (B) RT-qPCR was performed using gene-specific primers for p22phox, NOX2, and NOX4 or for 18S rRNA for normalization (n = 3,*p < 0.05 vs. Dex 0 h; (1-β) = 1). (C) CD57BL6j mice were orally supplemented with dexamethasone (Dex, 0.3 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water for 12 weeks. Litter mates drunk normal water (Ctr). Western blot analyses were performed on murine lung tissues using antibodies against p22phox, NOX2 and NOX4. β-Actin served as loading control (n = 3,*p < 0.05 vs. Ctr; (1-β) = 1). Representative blots are shown. Two-tailed Student's t-test was used in all cases.