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Figure 2 Pioglitazone Represses TNF-Induced VCAM-1 Expression in a PPAR-Dependent Manner

Endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from PPAR^+/+ (A) and PPAR^–/– (B) mouse hearts were pre-treated with WY14643, rosiglitazone (BRL), or pioglitazone at the concentrations shown (18 h) before mouse TNF stimulation and subsequent to Northern blotting for VCAM-1 mRNA and GAPDH expression. One representative blot of 3 is shown. Northern blotting for VCAM-1 expression was repeated in the presence of the dose range of pioglitazone shown in EC from PPAR^+/+ (C) and PPAR^–/– (D) mice. (E) Quantification of the effects of pioglitazone on VCAM-1 mRNA in PPAR^+/+ and PPAR^–/– EC relative to GAPDH mRNA expression (n = 3, ^#p < 0.05 TNF vs. vehicle; *p < 0.05 pioglitazone/TNF vs. TNF alone, Mann-Whitney U test). Abbreviations as in Figure 1.