Fig. 2

Upregulated EZH2 impedes SMC apoptosis. A Representative TUNEL staining image of SMC apoptosis in aortic tissues of control or AAA mice, and AAA mice treated with oe-EZH2 or oe-NC (400 ×). B Quantification of TUNEL-positive SMC ratio of cell apoptosis in aortic tissues control or AAA mice, and AAA mice treated with oe-EZH2 or oe-NC. C Western blot analysis of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in abdominal aorta of AAA mice treated with oe-EZH2 or oe-NC. D The expression of EZH2 in Ang II-treated SMCs determined by RT-qPCR. E Western blot analysis of EZH2 protein in Ang II-treated SMCs. F Cell apoptosis in Ang II-treated SMCs overexpressing EZH2 measured by flow cytometry. β-actin served as internal reference of EZJ2 and cleaved-caspase-3. *p < 0.05 indicates significant difference. Data in A–F were compared using unpaired t-test. n = 6 for mice following each treatment. Cell experiments were repeated three times independently