The entire IVC was removed with care taken to avoid surrounding arterial and connective tissues. Proteins were extracted with RIPA lysis buffer containing protease inhibitors from single IVC.11 (link), 13 (link), 21 (link) Protein concentrations were assessed using a colorimetric assay (Bio Rad), and equal amounts of protein were run on a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gel and then transferred to a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. After blocking with 5% skim milk, membranes were probed overnight with the primary antibodies (Major Resources Table). After overnight incubation, the membranes were incubated with HRP conjugated secondary antibodies for 1 hour at room temperature and were developed with using Western Lightning Plus ECL reagent (NEL105001EA, PerkinElmer; Waltham, MA).