Figure 8.

rhFGF4 stimulates MMP-9 and Flt-1 expression in diabetic mouse dermal fibroblasts. (A) There are no significant differences in the basal MMP-9 expression between WT and db/db fibroblasts cultured either in low (5.5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose. (B) MMP-9 expression is up-regulated upon single rhFGF4 or combined with rhVEGF-A treatment in db/db fibroblasts cultured in hyperglycemic conditions. (C) There are no significant differences in the basal Flt-1 expression between WT and db/db fibroblasts cultured either in low (5.5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose. (D) Flt-1 expression is up-regulated upon single rhFGF4 or combined with rhVEGF-A treatment in db/db fibroblasts cultured in hyperglycemic conditions. C - control, V - rhVEGF-A (50 ng ml^-1), F - rhFGF4 (50 ng ml^-1), V+F - rhVEGF-A (50 ng ml^-1) and rhFGF4 (50 ng ml^-1). Graphs represent means ± SEM from n = 3 independent experiments performed in duplicates; *p < 0.05 vs control.