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. 2019 Aug 29;116(7):1300–1310. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvz235

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Hox genes are required for endothelial activation, proliferation, and apoptosis. HUVECs were transfected with siRNA targeting specific Hox genes or with scrambled control sequences. Cells were then exposed for 72 h to low (centre) or high (periphery) WSS using the orbital system. mRNA levels of VCAM-1 (A) or E-selectin and CCL2 (B) were quantified by qRT-PCR. Mean expression levels in low WSS conditions were normalized to levels in high WSS (dotted line) and are shown with standard deviations. Proliferation and apoptosis were quantified by immunofluorescent staining using antibodies that detect PCNA (C; green) or cleaved caspase-3 (D; green) and counterstaining nuclei using DAPI (blue). Mean frequencies of PCNA-positive or apoptotic cells in low WSS conditions were normalized to levels in high WSS (dotted line) and are shown with standard deviations. Bar = 75 μm. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 using an unpaired two-tailed t-test.