Cell apoptosis assays
Active caspase-3 and active caspase-9 were determined using methods described previously [18 (link)], using commercial colorimetric assay kits (BF3100 and BF10100, R&D Systems). Concentrations of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 and the pro-apoptotic protein Baxα were determined in the same cell lysates as used for caspase analyses, using Duoset Elisa kits (R&D Systems Europe Ltd).
Measurements of HIF1α, VEGF, Hsp70 and ICAM-1
HIF1α, VEGF, Hsp70 and ICAM1 concentration in the cleared cell lysates was determined using Duoset Elisa kits as per the manufacturer’s instructions (R&D Systems Europe). Hsp70 concentrations were determined using our previously published methods [18 (link)] with a Duoset Elisa kit (R&D Systems Europe).
Tight junction proteins
ZO1 and Claudin1 concentrations were determined using previously published methods [18 (link)] and standard ELISA kits (tight junction antibody samples pack 90–1200, Invitrogen)