Figure 9.

CRP activated ERK1/2 in HCAEC. A, Western blot showing the effect of 1–5 μg/ml CRP (non-detoxified and detoxified CRP [CRPdt]) on phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in HCAEC. The increase was similar to that produced by FGF-2 (25 ng/ml). Total ERK1/2 protein levels were used as a loading control. Experiments were performed at least twice and a representative example is shown. B, quantitative densitometic analysis of the blot shown in A. (ERK-1 [black bars]; ERK-2 [shaded bars]).