Figure 1

Expression of Cox2 in mesenteric ECs. A/ 25-OHC exposure induced Cox-2 expression in bmECs. ECs were treated with 25 μM of 25-OHC added directly to culture media and left overnight before mRNA harvest and RT-PCR. BmLECs and bmAECs expressed Cox-2 in the presence of 25-OHC but not in EtOH vehicle alone. Cox-1, however, was constitutively expressed in all three cell types. Basal level of Cox-2 was high in bmVECs but not in bmAECs or bmLECs. Cox-2 levels increased significantly upon treatment of bmVECs with 25-OHC. B/ 25-OHC exposure changed morphology cultured bmECs. ECs lost the typical endothelial cobble-stoned morphology and became elongated, forming partial swirls in the presence of 25-OHC but not in vehicle control.