Effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on CCL2 expression and monocytic cell migration.

<p>(A) Levels of CCL2 transcript were assessed by real-time PCR. The y-axis values represent increases in CCL2 mRNA levels normalized to GAPDH levels, relative to that of the non-treated THP-1 cells (control). Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3 replicates for each group). (B) Culture media were isolated, and the levels of CCL2 protein in the media were measured by ELISA. Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3 replicates for each group). (C) Monocytic cells were exposed to the conditioned media isolated above, and migration of monocytic cells was measured by chemotaxis assay. Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3 replicates for each group). The results shown are the representative of three independent experiments. *** P < 0.001 vs. control; ** P < 0.01 vs. control; ### P < 0.001 vs. 27OHChol; ## P < 0.01 vs. 27OHChol.</p

Effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on expression of MMP-9 induced by 27OHChol.

<p>(A) Levels of MMP-9 transcript were assessed by real-time PCR. Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3 replicates for each group). (B) Culture media were isolated, and the levels of MMP-9 in the media were measured by ELISA. Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 3 replicates for each group). The results shown are the representative of three independent experiments. *** P < 0.001 vs. control; ### P < 0.001 vs. 27OHChol; # P < 0.05 vs. 27OHChol. (C) The activity of MMP-9 secreted by cells was assessed by gelatin zymography. Control THP-1 cells were cultured for 48 h in the medium alone. Data are representative of three independent experiments.</p