EMMPRIN up-regulates VEGF and VEGFR-2 in a MMP- or uPA-independent manner. (A) HMEC-1 cells were incubated for 12 hours with 20μM marimastat in serum-free medium before treatment with Emp for 2 hours. VEGF₁₂₁, VEGF₁₆₅, VEGF₁₈₉, and VEGFR-2 transcripts were quantified by qRT-PCR. (B) HMEC-1 cells were incubated with 25nM amiloride (i) or 50 μg/mL anti-uPA blocking antibody (ii) for 10 hours and 24 hours in serum-free medium. VEGF₁₂₁, VEGF₁₆₅,VEGF₁₈₉, and VEGFR-2 transcripts were quantified by qRT-PCR. Columns indicate means of relative expression to TBP housekeeping gene of at least 3 independent experiments; and bars, SD.