Fig. 6

CRP stimulated VEGF expression through HIF-1α, which was linked to activation of the PI3K/AKT1 and MAPK/ERK1/2 pathways. a CRP increased HIF-1α production as assessed by western blotting. b HIF-1α inhibitor (2-methoxyestradiol, 10 μM) prevented CRP-induced HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression. c Effects of kinase inhibitors on CRP-induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression examined by western blotting. MAPK and PI3K signaling pathway inhibition suppressed CRP-induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression. Columns, mean; bars, SE. *p < 0.05. Results are representative of three independent experiments. CRP C-reactive protein, VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor, HIF-1α hypoxia inducible factor-1α, PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen