Fig. 5

5-MTP preserves the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. After pretreating VSMCs with 5-MTP (100 μM) for 30 min, cells were stimulated with Pam3 or LPS for 24 h. A Migration assays were then performed with PDGF-BB as a chemoattractant. B Cell lysates were immunoblotted with antibodies for α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin), SM22 α (smooth muscle protein 22 α), or β-actin. Densitometric analysis of α-SMA and SM22 α immunoblots normalized to β-actin presented in (C) and (D). Data in A and C, D represent mean ± SD of at least 3 independent experiments. α-SMA and SM22α contents in aorta tissues from ApoE^−/− mice fed chow diet with saline (n = 6) or HFD with saline (n = 6) or L-5-MTP (n = 5) twice weekly for 20 wk were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Negative control represents staining with a 2nd antibody. Representative microphotographs are shown in (E). Lu, lumen; Neo, neo-intima; Med media; An, adventitia. Immunopositive areas of (F) α-SMA and (G) SM22α in the aorta tissues were quantified as a percentage of the total aortic area in each section. Data in F, G represent mean ± SEM. P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001 determined by t-test or a one-way ANOVA