Figure 1.

MKK4 expression in rat liver is strongly induced by HS. (a) Schematic illustration of the experimental protocols. The rats were injected with lentivirus encoding shRNA against MKK4 or negative control shRNA. Three days later, the rat models of HS were established. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bloodletting via a catheter inserted into the femoral artery, and then, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained at 40–50 mmHg for 1 h. After 1 h of shock, the rats were resuscitated to restore MAP. One hour later, the rats were sacrificed, and tissues were collected for analysis. (b) The relative mRNA expression of MKK4 in rat liver, kidney, and heart tissues was measured by RT–qPCR. (c, d) Quantification and representative Western blot images of MKK4 protein expression in rat liver, kidney, and heart tissues. The data are expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6 for each group.