Sexual Dimorphism in the Regulation of Estrogen, Progesterone, and Androgen Receptors by Sex Steroids in the Rat Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Figure 3

Regulation of PR isoforms protein content by sex hormones in airway smooth muscle (ASM) and airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). PR isoforms protein content in ASM and total PR (tPR) in ASMC of gonadectomized female and male rats were treated as described in Figure 1 legend. (a) A representative assay of four Western blot experiments is shown (details are described in Figure 1 legend). (b) Proteins detected by Western blot were quantified by densitometric analysis and corrected by GAPDH protein content. Results are expressed as mean ± SD, . compared with vehicle treatment, compared with vehicle treatment, and compared with vehicle treatment. (c) Flow cytometry histogram plots are based on forward scatter (FSC) and side scatter (SSC) gating for ASMC. This was validated using actin α-smooth muscle and both isoforms of PR (tPR) staining. A representative example of the gating strategy is shown. (d) Geometric mean fluorescence intensity (gMFI) for tPR expression on ASMC. Results are expressed as mean ± SD, . compared with vehicle treatment. Results are expressed as mean ± SD, . compared with vehicle treatment and compared with vehicle treatment.

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