Fig. 4.

DDAH-2 overexpression prevents excess UA-induced increases in ADMA production and EC dysfunction. (A) HAECs were infected with adenovirus expressing human ddah‐2 (Ad-ddah-2, 0–20 MOI) for 24 h. Western blot analysis of protein levels of DDAH‐2 and α‐tubulin. (B–D) HAECs were infected with Ad‐vector (Ad‐null) or Ad‐ddah-2 (20 MOI) for 24 h, then treated with UA (12 mg/dL) for 24 h. (B) Intracellular ADMA was assessed using a commercial assay kit. (C) NO production was assessed using Griess's assay. (D) Monocyte–EC adhesion assay was conducted by performing fluorometry and photomicrography. Data are expressed as means ± SEMs from five independent experiments. *Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) relative to vehicle group; ^#Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) relative to UA-treated group.