Research Paper Volume 15, Issue 11 pp 4774—4793
Visfatin upregulates VEGF-C expression and lymphangiogenesis in esophageal cancer by activating MEK1/2-ERK and NF-κB signaling
Figure 6. Visfatin induced increases in levels of VEGF-C expression and lymphangiogenesis by activating ERK signaling. (A, B) ESCC cells were treated with visfatin (30 ng/mL) for the indicated times and then ERK phosphorylation was examined by Western blot and quantified by ImageJ software. (C, D) ESCC cells were transfected or preincubated with the ERK inhibitor FR180204 or siRNAs for 24 h and then VEGF-C expression levels were measured by qPCR. (E) ESCC cells were transfected with ERK siRNA for 24 h, then stimulated with visfatin (30 ng/mL) for 24 h. Levels of VEGF-C expression were examined by Western blot. (F) ESCCs were transfected with a ERK siRNA and ERK expression was examined by Western blot. *P < 0.05 compared with the control group; #P < 0.05 compared with the visfatin-treated group.