Effect of VEGFR2 depletion on actin remodeling in pulmonary EC exposed to high OxPAPC concentration.

<p>HPAECs were transfected with VEGFR2-specific siRNA. Control cells were treated with non-specific RNA. <b>A</b> - After 72 hrs of transfection cells were stimulated with OxPAPC (75 µg/ml, 120 min) or vehicle followed by immunofluorescence staining for F-actin. Paracellular gaps are marked by arrows. Insets depict higher magnification images of cell boundaries showing increased gap formation in Ox-PAPC challenged EC treated with nsRNA, which was dramatically reduced in EC treated with VEGFR2 siRNA. <b>B</b> - Quantitative analysis of gap formation in OxPAPC treated HPAEC transfected with nsRNA or VEGFR2 siRNA; n = 4–6 per condition; *p<0.05. <b>C</b> - After 72 hrs of transfection with VEGFR2-specific or non-specific RNA HAECs were stimulated with OxPAPC (50 µg/ml, 120 min) or vehicle followed by immunofluorescence staining for F-actin.