TLR2 activation increases MMP9 expression and decreases tropoelastin expression.

<p>SMCs were treated (or control-treated) with SAA, <i>Pg</i> LPS or LTA for 24 hours (A). <i>Tlr2</i> mRNA levels are expressed relative to the control-treated sample ± SD (n = 3). SMCs were co-transfected with NFκB-luc and a <i>Renilla</i> construct, the latter to normalize transfection efficiency (B). Cells were treated (or control-treated) with SAA or <i>Pg</i> LPS for 24 hours. Data are expressed as luciferase/<i>Renilla</i> ± SD (n = 5). SMCs were treated with SAA, <i>Pg</i> LPS, LTA, Pam or FSL as in Fig 6A (C, D). <i>Nos2</i> (C) and <i>Mmp9</i> (D) mRNA levels are expressed relative to the control-treated sample ± SD (n = 3). SMCs were treated as in Fig 6A and Western blot analysis performed with antibodies directed against MMP9 and tubulin (E). SMCs were treated as in Fig 6D (F). <i>Eln</i> mRNA levels are expressed relative to the control-treated sample ± SD (n = 3). SMCs were treated as in Fig 6A and Western blot analysis performed with antibodies directed against tropoelastin and tubulin (G). SMCs were transfected as in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0171711#pone.0171711.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2F</a> (H). Cells were treated (or control-treated) with SAA, <i>Pg</i> LPS or LTA for 24 hours. Data are expressed as luciferase/<i>Renilla</i> ± SD (n = 5).