Fig. 2

(A) RT-qPCR results indicated that endothelial marker (CD31, VWF) expression decreased, interstitial marker (α-SMA) expression was up-regulated, and GDF15 expression was significantly up-regulated after HUVECs were stimulated by the cytokine mixture. (B) RT-qPCR results suggested that the expression of GDF15 mRNA decreased after siRNA knockdown. (C) After GDF15 was knocked out, endothelial cells were stimulated by cytokines, and CD31, VWF and α-SMA were not significantly changed, * compared with CON group. (D) In addition to knockout, cytokine treatment showed significant relief in promoting endothelial interstitial transformation and reduced morphological changes in endothelial cells, the scale was 500 μm, (40×); (E) Immunofluorescence assay was performed after 24 h stimulation with cytokine mixture, and the expression of EndMT-induced α-SMA was significantly reduced by knockout of GDF15, the scale is 50 μm (400×). Significant post hoc effects were revealed by the Bonferroni post hoc test. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001