Research Paper Volume 8, Issue 9 pp 1923—1939

Figure 4. (A) Real-time PCR showing that YAP was expressed at significantly lower levels in the ascending aortic wall of the BAPN-induced STAAD mouse compared to that of the sham control (n=10 in Sham group, n=10 in BAPN group, *p=0.0337). (B, C) Western blotting showed that the total YAP protein expression was significantly lower in the ascending aortic wall of the BAPN-induced STAAD mouse compared to that of the sham control (n=10 in Sham group, n=10 in BAPN group, *p=0.0088). (D) Confocal fluorescence microscopy showing that YAP and α-SMA double stained cells were present at lower number and less expression of YAP in the ascending aortic wall of BAPN-induced STAAD mice. (E) Elastin staining of the ascending aortas of mice that were treated with BAPN for different times (1, 2 and 3 weeks) showing that the ascending aortas of mice presented significant elastin disorganization after 3 weeks of BAPN administration compared to mice receiving BAPN for 1 or 2 weeks. (F) Western blotting showing that YAP expression in the ascending aorta was lower after feeding with BAPN for 3 weeks than after feeding with BAPN for 2 weeks.