Figure 2.

The ERKpathway controls WISP-3-induced VEGF-C production. (A–D) Cells were pretreated with a ERK inhibitor (ERK II) or transfected with an ERK siRNA, then stimulated with WISP-3. Levels of VEGF-C expression were examined by qPCR and ELISA. (E) JJ012 cells were incubated with WISP-3 for the indicated time intervals, and ERK phosphorylation was examined by Western blot. (F) JJ012 cells were transfected with ERK siRNA, and ERK expression was examined by Western blot. Quantitative results are expressed as the mean ± SD. All experiments were repeated 3 to 5 times (solid squares, solid dots, hollow circles and solid triangles). * p < 0.05 compared with the control group; # p < 0.05 compared with the WISP-3-treated group.