Research Paper Volume 11, Issue 19 pp 8604—8622

Tryptophan metabolite 5-methoxytryptophan ameliorates arterial denudation-induced intimal hyperplasia via opposing effects on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells

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Figure 8. 5-MTP maintains critical transcription factor and cofactor levels in VSMCs via suppressing NF-κB and p38 activation. (A) VSMCs were treated with TNF-α and 5-MTP for 24 h and Western performed to detect SRF and MRTF-A, and α-tubulin to verify loading. (BC) Quantitation of SRF (B) and MRTF-A (C), n=3-4 each group, *p<0.0001 and #p<0.002. (D) VSMCs were treated with TNF-α for 15 min and Western performed to detect phospho- and total NFκB-p65 and p38. A representative of 4 independent experiments is shown. (E) VSMCs were pretreated with NFκB inhibitor JSH-23 before TNF-α stimulation, followed by Western to detect MRTF-A (n=3 each, *p<0.002 and #p<0.002). (F) VSMCs were pretreated with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 before TNF-α stimulation, followed by Western to detect MRTF-A (n=3 each, *p<0.02 and #p<0.04).