Fig. 3: Nox4 is required for flagellin-induced inflammation in smooth muscle cells.

The results are presented as fold increases in mRNA levels in flagellin-stimulated cells compared with unstimulated cells (black circles: WT SMCs, white circles: Nox4 KO SMCs) (a–g). a Quantification of ICAM-1 mRNA expression in VSMCs (N = 3, mean ± SD, compared with the Nox4 KO SMC group, *p < 0.05). b Quantification of MCP-1 mRNA expression. (N = 3, mean ± SD). c Quantification of RANTES mRNA expression (N = 3, mean ± SD, *p < 0.05). d Quantification of IL-1β mRNA expression (N = 3, mean ± SD). e Quantification of TNF-α mRNA expression (N = 3, mean ± SD). f Quantification of IL-6 mRNA expression (N = 3, mean ± SD, ***p < 0.001). g WT and Nox4 KO SMCs were stimulated with flagellin (100 ng/mL) for 12 h. IL-6 protein secretion was analyzed by ELISA (N = 3, mean ± SD, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01). h Effect of an NF-kB inhibitor (BAY11-7082) on IL-6 expression in WT SMCs