Endothelial Protein C Receptor Could Contribute to Experimental Malaria-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Figure 3

EPCR could contribute to P. berghei cytoadherence. Lungs and serum from ARDS- and HP-developing mice were analyzed by (a) EPCR mRNA expression, (b) soluble EPCR (sEPCR) in serum, and (c) EPCR protein in the lungs, on the 7th day postinfection. (d–f) Primary microvascular endothelial cells (PMLECs) were stimulated with either infected red blood cells (iRBCs) or TNF (50 μg/ml) for (d) 24, (e) 48, and (f) 72 hours to analyze EPCR mRNA expression. (g) PMLECs were subjected to EPCR knockdown with siRNA, and (h) iRBC adherence in PMLECs was evaluated. (a, b, and d) The unpaired -test is representative of (a) three grouped, (b) two independent, and (d) two grouped experiments. (c) The Mann-Whitney test is representative of two independent experiments. (e–h) One-way ANOVA from two grouped experiments. Bars represent the (, , , and ; replicates/group). ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome; HP: hyperparasitemia; NS: nonstimulated cells; NT: nontransfected cells. Red dashed lines: noninfected mice.

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