FIGURE 4.

Knockdown of expression of RAGE by siRNA prevented increased permeability induced by heat stress. (A) HUVECs were transfected with RAGE siRNA. After 48 h, total proteins were extracted and the expression of RAGE protein was detected by western blot. (B) HUVECs treated with either control or RAGE siRNA were subjected to heat stress at 42°C for 2 h. TEER was recorded before (used as a baseline) and after heat Stress. Transfection with RAGE siRNA decreased the hyperpermeability induced by heat stress (*P < 0.05 vs control group, ^#P < 0.05 vs control siRNA group).