The ERK5/MEF2 pathway is involved in TA-induces KLF2 expression. (A) COS-7 cells were transfected with KLF2 -221 WT or KLF2 -221 mutant plasmids, treated with TA (10.0 µM), DMSO (vehicle) or simvastatin (1.0 µM, positive control) for 24 h, and luciferase activities were then detected. *P < 0.05. n = 3. (B–D) HCAECs were pretreated with TA (10.0 µM) for 0, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min, respectively, then protein expression of phospho-ERK5, ERK5 and GAPDH were determined by Western blotting. *P < 0.05. n = 3.