Figure 4

Extracellular HSP27 induces the expression of ICAM-1, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8 in HCVECs. HCVECs are treated with recombinant HSP27 (0, 2.0 or 4.0 µg/mL). The culture medium collected at 24 h is analyzed for cytokines by ELISA. ICAM-1 levels in cell lysate are analyzed by immunoblotting. (A) A representative blot and normalized band density data show that ICAM-1 levels increase in a dose-dependent manner. (B) Extracellular HSP27 induces the secretion of MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8, but not TNF-α. Heat-denatured HSP27 at 4.0 µg/mL (4.0HD) fails to induce IL-6 secretion. Data are mean ± SE. n = 5; *P < 0.05 versus untreated control (ctrl).