Figure 3.

DUSP5 protein expression is upregulated in ischemic endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cells were grown under normal conditions (21% oxygen and complete growth media) and simulated ischemia (2% oxygen and starvation media) for 24 hours. (a) Western blots of DUSP5 protein show expression in EC is upregulated in ischemia compared to normoxia. (b) Quantification of DUSP5 protein expression (n = 4–5, *p < 0.05); (HUVEC, **p < 0.01) (unpaired t-test). In parts (c)–(f), DUSP5 KD impairs proliferation and tube formation in ECs under simulated ischemia. (c) A representative western blot of DUSP5 KD. (d) DUSP5 KD in ECs results in no change in apoptosis compared to control KD (n = 7, *p > 0.05) (p = 0.07). (e) DUSP5 KD results in significant impairment in EC proliferation (n = 7, **p < 0.01). (f) DUSP5 KD significantly impairs EC tube formation (n = 7, **p < 0.01).

Bars represent means ± SEM.

DUSP5, dual specificity phosphatase 5; EC, endothelial cell; HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; Isch, ischemia; KD, knockdown; sim, simulated.