Fig. 6

AhR regulates VEGF-B by direct binding. A A VEGF-B WT1 (− 2000 to  + 50) luciferase reporter vector and a VEGF-B WT2 (− 1000 to  + 50) luciferase reporter vector were constructed. B Relative luciferase activity of 293T and JEG-3 cells. C VEGF-B WT1 reporter vector co-transfected with AhR or siAhR, or treated with TCDD or SR1. D Luciferase assays were performed using VEGF-B WT1 reporter vector, VEGF-B WT2 reporter vector and negative control. E Details of AhR-binding site in VEGF-B promoter. F VEGF-B WT2 reporter vector co-transfected with AhR or siAhR, or treated with TCDD or SR1. G Luciferase assays were performed using a mutant VEGF-B promoter. The results are presented as the mean ± SD (n = 3). ***P < 0.001. AhR aryl hydrocarbon receptor, TCDD 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, SR1 StemRegenin 1, WT wild-type, si small interfering RNA, Luc luciferase