Murine cardiac tissue expresses NOD1. Specific stimulation of NOD1 induces NF-κB pathway activation.

<p>(A) Histograms show NOD1 mRNA levels in different mouse tissues. (B) NOD1 protein levels in mouse hearts were analyzed by western-blot. Animals received i.p. 150 µg of iEDAP (iE)/day, a selective agonist of NOD1, or vehicle (Veh.). After 2 weeks of treatment an up-regulation of P-RIP2/RIP2, P-IKK/IKK, P-IκBα/IκBα protein ratio (B), higher p65 binding to κB motifs determined by ELISA (C), and NOS2 and COX2 (D) protein levels were observed in iE treated hearts. NOS2 and COX2 protein values were normalized with GAPDH. Representative blots are shown in the left panels and right panels illustrate the histograms representing the mean (band ratio)±SEM values <i>vs.</i> Veh. (100%); n = 4–6 animals. *p<0.05, ***p<0.001 <i>vs.</i> vehicle.