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

Figure 4

Biological effect of DPSCs supernatant on NP cells. (a) Confocal microscopy images of the cytoskeletal component (F-actin) distribution.  μm. “TNF-α” represents NP cells cultured in 500 ng/ml TNF-α. “DPSCs” represent NP cells cultured in culture media containing DPSC culture supernatant (1 : 3 v/v). “5% FBS” indicates that NP cells were treated in culture media containing 5% FBS. “10% FBS” indicates that NP cells were treated in culture media containing 10% FBS. “Relative expression” represents the gray value of a specific protein divided by that of GAPDH. (b) Analysis of NP cells’ cytoskeleton integrity. We calculated the percentage of cells with intact cytoskeleton/total cells counts. (c) Western blot results and gray value analysis results showing the proteins in NPs after specific treatments. To induce apoptosis, cells were treated in culture media containing 5% FBS. After 2 days of treatment, cell lysates were analyzed by western blotting. Gray values were analyzed by ImageJ. , , and . FBS: fetal bovine serum; DAPI: 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole.

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