Prostacyclin prevents contractile protein reduction induced by combined growth factors (GFs).

<p>(<b>A</b>) Cells were pretreated with cPGI₂ followed by GFs. (<b>B</b>) VSMCs were transfected with 14-3-3β, η or θ siRNA or a control scRNA and the respective 14-3-3 proteins were analyzed. (<b>C</b>) VSMCs transfected with siRNA of 14-3-3β, η or θ were treated with cPGI₂ (100 µM) and GFs. SM22α and Calponin-1 in cell lysates were analyzed by Western blotting. (<b>D</b>) VSMCs were transfected with Flag-tagged 14-3-3β or θ vectors. Following GFs treatment, cells were lysed and SM22α was determined by Western blotting. All blots are representative of n≥3. (<b>E</b>) A schematic illustration of the role of PGI₂/PPARα/14-3-3β and θ in controlling VSMC apoptosis and contractile phenotype.