Please click here to obtain permission to reproduce this image.
Click on image to view larger version.
Figure 1 Effects of androgen exposure on macrophage gene expression. (A, B) Gene expression profiles in control- and androgen-treated male macrophages, respectively. There is enhanced expression of a large number of atherosclerosis-related genes (see Table 1). For example, the boxed areas containing lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) and acyl coA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) are enlarged and shown on the right. (C) Differential gene expression examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) shows the androgen-dependent gender-specific up-regulation of six atherosclerosis-associated genes: 1) ACAT; 2) LAL; 3) caveolin-2; 4) CD40; 5) tissue factor pathway inhibitor; and 6) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-165 receptor. In all genes studied by RT-PCR, androgen exposure produced up-regulation in gene expression in male-donor but not female-donor macrophages (p < 0.005 vs. control for all genes in male-donor cells as compared with p > 0.1 vs. control for all genes in female-donor cells). Open bars = controls; striped bars = 40 nmol/l dihydrotestosterone.
|
