ERK and MMP-2 activities mediate the Ang II-induced Hi-FGF-2 upregulation in hMFs.

<p><b>Panel A.</b> Western blot and corresponding cumulative data showing the effect of an ERK inhibitor (U0126), or MMP-2 inhibitor (MMP2i) on the Ang II induced Hi-FGF-2 upregulation. Signal for β-tubulin is also shown, serving as loading control. <b>Panel B.</b> Western blots and corresponding cumulative data showing the effect of Ang II administration on phospho-(P)-ERK and total ERK, after 10–30 minutes and 6–24 hours of stimulation as indicated. The graph shows cumulative data (n = 3) of the ratio between P-ERK/ERK over time (10–30 min, 6–24 hours), in response to Ang II. Minutes and hours are indicated as ‘ and h. <b>Panel (C)</b> Representative zymogram of MMP-2 activity in hMFs, including a positive control band (MMP-2), and corresponding cumulative data, showing relative MMP-2 activity in response to Ang II, over time (10–30 min, 6–24 hours), as indicated. For all graphs, brackets show comparisons between groups; *, **, ***, and ns correspond to P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001, and P>0.005, respectively.