Effect of RAGE on VSMC proliferation (Ki-67 expression) induced by treatment of cyclic strain stress and/or AGEs.

<p>Cultured VSMCs were transfected by siRNA-RAGE (SiR) (Figures 6A-c, f, i, and l), siRNA control (SiC) (Figures 6A-b, e, h, and k) or Lipofectamine 2000 (LIP) (Figures 6A-a, d, g, and j) for 24 hours. They were then serum-starved for an additional 48 hours and treated with AGEs (Figures 6A-d, e, and f), cyclic stretch stress (SS) (Figures 6A-g, h, and i), or both (Figures 6A-j, k, and l) for 1 hour and cultured for another 24 hours. Figures 6A-a, b, and c show the negative control (NC). The cells were stained with primary Ki-67 antibody and TRITC-conjugated (red) secondary antibody and counterstained with DAPI (blue). The red symbols indicate Ki-67 antigens, while the blue symbols indicate the nuclei of the VSMCs. Bar = 50 µm. Figure 6B shows a statistical graph of ratio of Ki-67-positive cells from three independent experiments. *P<0.05 <i>versus</i> individual NC without stimulation of AGE and/or SS; #P<0.05 <i>versus</i> individual treatment in AGE or SS groups; a, b, and c P<0.05 <i>versus</i> SiC within a given group.