Research Article

Serum from Varicose Patients Induces Senescence-Related Dysfunction of Vascular Endothelium Generating Local and Systemic Proinflammatory Conditions

Figure 3

The role of TGF-β1 in the dysfunction of endothelial cells subjected to serum from varicose patients (VV). Effect of exogenous, recombinant TGF-β1 on proliferation (a), senescence (b), and oxidative stress (c) in HUVECs. The cells were subjected to exogenous protein used at the dose corresponding to its serum (for VV patients) level for 72 h. Asterisks indicate significant differences as compared with the control (Con) group (cells maintained in standard conditions). Effect of TGF-β1 neutralization in serum from VV patients on senescence (d) and oxidative stress (e) in HUVECs. Asterisks indicate significant differences as compared with the cells exposed to HV serum. Results (expressed as means ± SEM) derive from experiments performed in octuplicate. RFU: relative fluorescence units.
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