MAPK3 specifically regulates endogenous VEGF expression without affecting mRNA stability.

<p>(a) Determination of endogenous VEGF by ELISA<b>.</b> Error bars represent standard deviations calculated from 3 independent experiments, each performed at least in duplicates. Statistical analysis of differences between controls and experimental samples were performed with the Microsoft Excel unpaired, type 2, Student’s t test. (b) Endogenous VEGF and MAPK3 mRNA levels measured by qRT-PCR. The expression ratio of the indicated endogenous mRNAs (VEGF and MAPK3) in MAPK3 siRNA-treated cells relative to scramble siRNA treated cells (%) is shown. Statistical analysis of differences between controls and experimental samples were performed with the Microsoft Excel unpaired, type 2, Student’s t test. A p-value of >0.5 and <0.05 was determined for VEGF and MAPK3, respectively. Relative VEGF and MAPK3 mRNA levels, standard deviations and statistical significance were calculated with REST 2009 software as described in “Material and Methods”.