7KCh induces key ER stress markers and SA inhibits this response.

<p>ARPE19 cells were treated with 8 µM 7KCh for 24 hr and the mRNA inductions of the inflammatory markers measured by qRT-PCR (mean ± s.d., <i>n</i> = 3). <b>(a)</b> PERK, <b>(b)</b> IRE1, <b>(c)</b> ATF4, <b>(d)</b> XBP1, <b>(e)</b> EIF2a, and <b>(f)</b> P58IPK in response to 8 µM 7KCh with and without 1 µM sterculic acid or stearic acid. 7KCh induced the mRNA expression of all key proteins in ER stress pathway. The addition of sterculic acid attenuated the ER stress response (PERK: 1.9 to 1.2 fold, IRE1: 4.2 to 1.3 fold, ATF4: 2.5 to 1.1 fold, XBP1: 3.6 to 1.4 fold, EIF2a: 1.4 to 0.9 fold, P58IPK: 2.7 to 1.0 fold). Stearic acid was used as a negative control.