Figure 2

RT-PCR analysis of sFlt-1 transcripts and mFlt-1 on blood mononuclear cells before and during ECC. A: PCR experiments were carried out to amplify a 175 bp fragment of the human sFlt-1 receptor. GAPDH amplification (a 439 bp fragment) was performed to highlight the integrity of blood mononuclear cell mRNA. PCR products were analysed on a 1.2% agarose gel. Sizes of PCR products and DNA ladder are indicated by arrows. One representative experiment out of three is shown. B: Blood samples were collected before and during ECC. Forward scatter (FS) and side scatter (SS) were used to identify platelets and leukocytes (A). CD45 expression was used to separate lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes (B). Flow cytometry revealed no significant effect of ECC on mFlt-1 expression on platelets (C), lymphocytes (D), monocytes (E) and granulmocytes (F). The solid line represents blood cells before ECC staining with Flt-1-PE antibodies. The shaded area represents blood cells during ECC staining with Flt-1-PE antibodies. One experiment representative of 3 is shown.