Figure 3

(A) Decrease in PCNA-positive cells and increase in TUNEL-positive cells in diabetes are dependent on the presence of RAGE. PCNA- and TUNEL-positive cells were determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Arrowhead indicates TUNEL-positive cells. Bars represent 100 µm. Modified from (30). (B) VEGF mRNA expression was suppressed in diabetic mice independent of the presence of RAGE. Total RNA was isolated from the matrigel, and the expression of the mRNA was quantitated by real-time RT-PCR. Column represents mean ± SD. *P< 0.05 vs. control, Student t-test. Modified from reference (30). (C) VEGF mRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is suppressed in a culture on AGE-collagen independent of the presence of RAGE. Quiescent RAGE +/+ or RAGE −/− mouse SMCs were cultured on native or AGE-fibrillar collagen for 24 h with or without 100 µM deferoxamine. Total RNA was isolated, and mRNA for VEGF was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Cont, deferoxamine (−); DFO: deferoxamine (+). *P< 0.05 vs. native collagen, Student t-test.