Fig. 3

Overexpression of RFX1 decreased TLR4 expression and inhibited CD14⁺ monocyte activation induced by LDL. a The relative RFX1 protein expression was determined by Western blotting in LDL treated CD14⁺ monocytes transfected with RFX1-lentivirus or with Cntl-lentivirus and non-LDL-treated CD14⁺ monocytes. b, c The relative TLR4 mRNA (b) and protein (c) expression were determined by RT-qPCR and western blotting in three groups. d The relative mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 were determined by RT-qPCR in three groups. e The adhesive capacity of CD14⁺ monocytes in three groups was assessed using a fluorescence microscope (× 100). f The migration capacity of CD14⁺ monocytes in three groups was assessed by a Transwell migration assay with a fluorescence microscope (× 100). All values are the average of at least 3 biological replicates, and the data shown are the means ± SDs. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 relative to control