VEGF-B inhibits apoptosis via VEGFR-1–mediated suppression of the expression of BH3-only protein genes in mice and rats
J. Clin. Invest. Yang Li, et al. 118:913 doi:10.1172/JCI33673 [Go to this article.]

Figure 2
Survival effect of VEGF-B on the RGC5 cells. (A and B) H₂O₂ treatment led to oxidative stress–induced apoptosis in RGC5 cells according to the TUNEL assay. (C and D) VEGF-B₁₆₇ treatment inhibited the H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. Scale bar: 50 μm. (E) VEGF-B rescued serum deprivation–induced cell death in RGC5 cells at different time points. (F) PlGF did not rescue serum deprivation–induced cell death in RGC5 cells at different time points. (G) VEGF had a weak survival effect on RGC5 cells. (H and I) Bmf overexpression in the RGC5 cells led to apoptosis according to the TUNEL assay. (J and K) VEGF-B₁₆₇ treatment inhibited Bmf-induced cellular apoptosis in RGC5 cells. Scale bar: 100 μm. (L) VEGF-B₁₆₇ treatment inhibited both the endogenous (rat) and exogenous (mouse) Bmf expression in RGC5 cells. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.