TNF-α Induced the Enhanced Apoptosis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Ankylosing Spondylitis by Overexpressing TRAIL-R2

Figure 4

The DR and mitochondrial pathways were both involved in MSC apoptosis. (a) qRT-PCR was performed to compare the gene expressions of total caspase-8, total cytochrome C, Fas, and TNFR1 between HDMSCs () and ASMSCs (). ASMSCs expressed much higher gene expression levels of total caspase-8 than HDMSCs after treatment with TNF-α/CHX, while no difference was found between HDMSCs and ASMSCs in total cytochrome C, Fas, or TNFR1 gene expression levels. (b) A western blot was performed to compare the protein expressions of cleaved caspase-8, cytosolic cytochrome C, TNFR1, and Fas between HDMSCs () and ASMSCs (). After treatment with TNF-α/CHX, ASMSCs had higher cleaved caspase-8 and cytosolic cytochrome C protein expression levels than HDMSCs and similar protein levels of TNFR1 and Fas as HDMSCs. Fold changes are presented as the mean ± SD. indicates between HDMSCs and ASMSCs.

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