Fig. 9. Par3 and Par6 regulate EC tube and lumen formation in 3D collagen matrices. (A) ECs transfected with the indicated siRNAs were suspended within collagen matrices for 24 hours before fixation for photography. Bar, 50 µm. (B) Quantification of EC vasculogenesis assay at 24 hours, at which point the areas of EC lumens were traced using Metamorph software. The data are shown as the mean EC lumenal area±s.d. (n=3). ^*, P<0.03 compared with luciferase control. (C) siRNA-transfected ECs lysates were prepared for western blot analysis and probed for Par3 or beta-actin (control). (D) siRNA-transfected ECs were prepared for RNA isolation. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed for Par6a, Par6b or G3PDH-1 (control).