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Figure 5 | Respiratory Research

Figure 5

From: Decreased expression of the NF-κB family member RelB in lung fibroblasts from Smokers with and without COPD potentiates cigarette smoke-induced COX-2 expression

Figure 5

siRNA-mediated knock-down of RelB potentiates CSE-induced Cox-2 mRNA and protein expression in Normal lung fibroblasts. (A) RelB siRNA: Lung fibroblasts derived from Normal subjects were transfected with siRNA against RelB (siRelB). RelB protein levels were decreased by approximately 40% compared to Ctrl-transfected (siCtrl; relative-change: 0.59 ± 0.065). Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM, n = 4 independent experiments. (B) Cox-2 mRNA: Normal fibroblasts transfected with RelB siRNA were exposed to 2% CSE for 6 hours and Cox-2 mRNA expression evaluated by qRT-PCR. There was a significant increase in Cox-2 mRNA expression only when RelB expression is reduced (siRelB; fold-induction 15 ± 8; *p < 0.05 compared to RelB siRNA media only; $ p < 0.05 compared to Ctrl siRNA exposed to 2% CSE). Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM, n = 4–5 experiments. (C) COX-2 protein- there was a corresponding and dramatic increase in COX-2 protein in the siRelB fibroblasts exposed to 2% CSE compared to the siCTRL cells. Representative western blot is shown of at least two independent experiments.

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Respiratory Research

ISSN: 1465-993X

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