Expression profiles of the putative GR-target genes VDUP1, MMP-2, and GILZ in response to Epo, SCF, Dex, and combinations thereof. (A, microarray) Mean fold changes (²log values) of gene expression detected on the microarrays for the genes indicated, comparing cDNA of factor-depleted I/11 erythroid progenitors with cells subsequently treated with Epo (E), SCF (S), Dex (D), Epo/SCF (ES), Epo/SCF/Dex (ESD), or Epo/SCF/ZK (ESZK) for 2 hours. The number of clones representing each of the genes on the microarrays is indicated (n). (A, RT-PCR) Expression of the indicated genes was subsequently determined by real-time RT-PCR. RNA levels of factor-depleted and restimulated cells (as indicated) were compared with RNA levels of factor-deprived cells. Fold changes of restimulation versus factor deprivation are indicated as ²log values. (B) RNA levels of factor-depleted I/11 erythroid progenitors restimulated with Epo/SCF/Dex (ESD) or Epo/SCF/ZK (ESZK) for the indicated time periods were compared with RNA levels of cells factor deprived for 4 hours (NF). Fold changes of restimulation versus factor deprivation are indicated as ²log values. (C) RNA levels of proliferating erythroid progenitors derived from either GR^dim/dim fetal livers or wt littermates (used either as primary cells [prim] or after immortalization in culture [imm]) were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Fold changes of GR^dim/dim over wt are indicated as ²log values. Mean values and standard deviations from 2 separate experiments repeated in duplicate are shown.