Profilin-1 is involved in macroangiopathy induced by advanced glycation end products via vascular remodeling and inflammation

Figure 4 Effect of profilin-1 shRNA on the levels of inflammatory mediators and vascular remodeling in advanced glycation end products-injected rats. A: Western blot analysis of the transfection efficiency of the profilin-1 shRNA, n = 3; B-D: ELISA or HPLC was used to detect the intercellular adhesion molecule-1, N-terminal procollagen III peptide, and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in different groups. n = 3, ^aP < 0.05 compared with the control group, ^cP < 0.05 compared with the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) group; E: Hematoxylin and eosin or immunohistochemistry staining showing the effect of profilin-1 silencing on the morphological characteristics of the thoracic aorta and the expression of the profilin-1 protein in AGEs-injected rats. Under a microscope at 200 × magnification, the profilin-1 protein was stained brown using the SABC immunohistochemical method, n = 3. ICAM-1: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1; PIIINP: N-terminal procollagen III peptide; ADMA: Asymmetric dimethylarginine; AGEs: Advanced glycation end products.