FIGURE 3.

Influences of heat stress on RAGE mRNA and protein expression. HUVECs were subjected to heat stress at different conditions, and cells were harvested at a different time point after heat exposure and analyzed by western blot or RT-PCR. (A,B) HUVECs were subjected to heat stress at 37, 39, 42, or 44°C for 2 h. RAGE protein expression increased in a temperature-dependent manner. (C,D) HUVECs were exposed to 42°C for 1 or 2 h. Samples were harvested 2 h after heat stress. RAGE protein expression increased in a time-dependent manner. (E–H) Samples were harvested immediately or 2 h after 2 h of heat stress at 42°C and the mRNA level and protein level of RAGE increased immediately after heat stress (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs control).