Fig. 2

PQS inhibits high phosphate-induced expression of calcification markers. VSMCs were treated with various concentrations of PQS (0, 25, 50, and 100 μg/ml) in the presence of calcification medium containing 3 mM Pi for 6 days. The expression of osteogenic marker genes Runx2 and BMP2, and VSMCs marker gene SM22α was determined using RT-PCR (A) and Western blot analysis (B). The relative values of protein expression were normalized to β-actin. ^*p < 0.05 or ^**p < 0.01 vs. blank, and ^#p < 0.05 or ^##p < 0.01 vs. Pi control