Figure 4

Expression of α-SMA and ET-1 proteins was measured using Western blot analysis. Lung tissue protein extractions were used for α-SMA expression analysis (A). The bar graph represents the α-SMA protein relative levels (percent of Control d1 ± SEM). *P < 0.05 as compared with Control d1, IUGR d1, Control 6wks, and IUGR 6wks groups, respectively; **P < 0.05 as compared with Control d1, IUGR d1, Control 6wks, IUGR 6wks, and Control hypoxia groups, respectively (A); note increased α-SMA expression in the IUGR hypoxia group. PVEC protein extractions were used for ET-1 expression analysis (B). The bar graph represents the ET-1 protein relative levels (percent of control d1 ± SEM); *P < 0.05 as compared with Control d1 and IUGR d1; **P < 0.05 as compared with Control d1, IUGR d1, Control 6wks, IUGR 6wks, and Control hypoxia groups, respectively (B); note increased ET-1 expression in the IUGR hypoxia group. β-actin protein expression serves as an internal control and is used to normalize the protein band intensity (n = 4). The relative ET-1 mRNA levels were examined by quantitative real-time PCR (C), *P < 0.05 as compared with control d1, and IUGR d1, respectively; ^#P < 0.05 as compared with control d1, IUGR d1, Control 6wks, IUGR 6wks, and IUGR hypoxia, respectively; ^**P < 0.05 as compared with control d1, IUGR d1, Control 6wks, IUGR 6wks, and Control hypoxia, respectively (n = 4). Con = Control, SEM = standard error of mean.