Fig. 4

Messenger RNA signatures of cardiac injury/inflammation after polymicrobial sepsis. A mRNA expression in left ventricle of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Wild-type male mice (n = 5) showed higher ANP gene transcription relative to naive sex and age-matched naïve males 18 h after the onset of sepsis and compared to age-matched females (n = 5). B Cardiac inflammation as indicated by mRNA expression of TNFα in left ventricle. Only male wild-type mice (n = 5) showed higher TNFα gene transcription 18 h after the onset of sepsis, compared to age-matched females (n = 5). C Semi-quantitative analysis by immunoblotting for cardiac TNFα in four mice/group. D Cardiac inflammation as indicated by mRNA expression of NF-kappa B in left ventricle. Only male wild-type mice (n = 5) showed higher NF-kappa B gene transcription 18 h after the onset of sepsis, compared to age-matched females (n = 5). E Cardiac oxidative stress as indicated by mRNA expression of Superoxide dismutase-1 in left ventricle. Only male wild-type mice (n = 5) showed higher SOD-1 gene transcription 18 h after the onset of sepsis, compared to age-matched females (n = 5). F mRNA expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NADPH oxidase 2 or Nox2) in left ventricle. (n = 5/group). Individual p values on each panel refer to post hoc testing after ANOVA testing for genotype x sepsis interaction