Figure 2. Kinetics of hBD-2 mRNA up-regulation by calcium and thapsigargin. HGECs were stimulated with 1.20 mM extracellular calcium (A) or 1000 nM thapsigargin (B) for the indicated times. RT-PCR analysis was performed as described in MATERIALS & METHODS. (C) Densitometric analysis of RT-PCR in panels A and B. The relative ratios of hBD-2 to GAPDH were determined as described in MATERIALS & METHODS. The y axis represents the ratios; the x axis represents various incubation periods (hrs) with either calcium (empty bars) or with thapsigargin (filled bars). Note the rapid and delayed hBD-2 mRNA induction by thapsigargin and high calcium, respectively. The results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments.