Research Paper Volume 12, Issue 2 pp 1186—1200

Figure 7. Disrupting the HMGB1-mediated signaling reduced the apoptotic death and inflammation induced by PM. (A and B) HBECs were exposed to PM after si-HMGB1 transfection, and RT-qPCR was used to assess the HMGB1 and TLR4 expression. (C–E) The PM-induced apoptosis and viability effect were analyzed following HMGB1 knockdown in cells. (F–H) HBECs were exposed to PM after si-HMGB1 transfection, and RT-qPCR was used to assess the IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α expression. (I) HBECs were exposed to PM after si-HMGB1 transfection, and the IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in the supernatant were measured via ELISA. Data were presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) of three independent experiments. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs. control. ^#P<0.05, ^##P<0.01 vs. PM.