DPSCs Protect Architectural Integrity and Alleviate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Regulating Nucleus Pulposus Immune Status

Figure 1

RNA-seq and detection of NP cell alterations after DPSC treatment. (a). Schematic map showing the study design to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of the DPSC treatment. Primary NP cells were isolated from IVD degeneration patients and treated with DPSC supernatant. Then, RNA-seq was carried out to determine the DEGs and pathways that were altered after treatment. Then, western blotting and confocal microscopy imaging were carried out to verify the cellular alterations. (b) Heatmap of the DEGs identified by RNA-seq after DPSC treatment. High and low abundances of gene expression are shown in red and green, respectively. (c) Volcanic product distribution map of the DEGs in NP cells. DEGs are marked with red (upregulated) or green (downregulated) dots. (d) Bar graph showing the number of DEGs. RNA-seq: RNA sequencing; DEGs: differentially expressed genes.

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