Fig. 5

The β2AR/Akt/eNOS pathway improves EPC function in vitro and the endothelial repair capacity of EPCs in vivo. a Representative photograph and quantification analysis of Akt phosphorylation in EPCs (*P < 0.01 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation, ^# P < 0.05 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation, and NS versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs; n = 5 per group). b Representative photograph and quantification analysis of eNOS phosphorylation in EPCs (*P < 0.01 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation, ^# P < 0.01 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation, and NS versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs; n = 5 per group). c Quantification analysis of migration (*P < 0.01 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation and ^# P < 0.01 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation; n = 5 per group). d Quantification analysis of adhesion (*P < 0.05 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation and ^# P < 0.05 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation; n = 5 per group). e Quantification analysis of proliferation (*P < 0.05 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation and ^# P < 0.05 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation; n = 5 per group). f Quantification analysis of NO production (*P < 0.05 versus Ad5/EGFP-EPCs with FENO activation and ^# P < 0.05 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs with FENO activation; n = 5 per group). g The re-endothelialized area at day 3 after carotid injury in nude mice with transplantation of Ad5/β2AR-EPCs that were pre-treated with β2AR or Akt or eNOS inhibitors (*P < 0.01 versus Ad5/β2AR-EPCs; n = 5 per group). Ad5 adenovirus serotype 5, EGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein, eNOS endothelial nitric oxide synthase, EPC endothelial progenitor cell, FENO fenoterol, NO nitric oxide, NS not significant, β2AR β2 adrenergic receptor