IFN-γ–stimulated CD40 protein expression is predominantly STAT-1 dependent.

(A) Effect of the IRF-1 antisense (AS) ODN on IFN-γ (1000 U/mL) or TNF-α (100 U/mL) plus IFN-γ (1000 U/mL)–stimulated CD40 protein expression in the cultured HUVECs after 14 hours. Representative Western blot analysis is shown. (B) Effects of the STAT-1 or IRF-1 consensus decoy ODN (STAT-1, IRF-1c) or mutant control ODN (STAT-1m, IRF-1m) on CD40 expression in cells exposed to IFN-γ (1000 U/mL) alone for 9 hours. Representative RT-PCR analysis is shown; comparable results were obtained with 2 further batches of cells.