Exosomal circEhmt1 Released from Hypoxia-Pretreated Pericytes Regulates High Glucose-Induced Microvascular Dysfunction via the NFIA/NLRP3 Pathway

Figure 1

Pericyte survival was negatively associated with endotheliocyte angiogenic activity. (a) The morphology of pericytes cocultured with endotheliocytes. Cocultures of pericytes and endotheliocytes were classified into five groups: (1) normoxia pericytes+endotheliocytes, (2) normoxia pericytes+HG endotheliocytes, (3) hypoxia pericytes+endotheliocytes, (4) hypoxia pericytes+Vad + endotheliocytes, and (5) hypoxia pericytes+Nec-1 + endotheliocytes. (b) The viability of pericytes in the above coculture models was examined. (c) The levels of HIF, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in pericytes in the above culture models were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. (d) The levels of HIF-1α, Bax, Bcl-2, and Ki67 protein expression in pericytes in the above culture models were detected by western blotting. (e) Immunofluorescence staining of Bax in endotheliocytes in the above coculture models. (f) The angiogenesis activity of endotheliocytes in the above culture models was measured by tube formation assays.