Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: Sildenafil Reduces Neointimal Hyperplasia after Angioplasty and Inhibits Platelet Aggregation via Activation of cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Figure 5

Effects of sildenafil on VSMC phenotype modulation. (a) Immunofluorescence staining for calponin and thrombospondin. PDGF treatment increased the level of thrombospondin (a marker of synthetic form of VSMC) and decreased the level of calponin (a marker for contractile form). Sildenafil treatment inhibited the effect of PDGF on these markers. Finally, cGK inhibitor reversed the effect of sildenafil, suggesting that sildenafil could modulate VSMC phenotype via the cGK pathway. Scale bar = 50 µm. cGK inh. = cGK inhibitor (n = 3). (b) Immunohistochemical staining for calponin and thrombospondin. The arterial wall at 3 days and 2 weeks after injury showed that sildenafil treatment elevated the expression of calponin and reduced the level of thrombospondin. Scale bar = 100 µm (n = 3).

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