[Retracted] Nucleus Pulposus Cells Induce M2 Polarization of RAW264.7 via CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Pathway and M2 Macrophages Promote Proliferation and Anabolism of Nucleus Pulposus Cells

Figure 4

H&E staining showed that the IVD in mouse models herniated into the spinal canal. In comparison with the normal IVD, it was clear that the height of IVD space became narrow, the shape of NP tissue became sharp, the annulus fibrosus became thinned and damaged, and the extracellular matrix was also degenerate in the mouse models. These changes altogether indicated that the IVD was severely degenerated in mouse models (a). IHC staining showed that measurable amounts of CD80+M1 and CD206+M2 macrophages (brown color) infiltrated in herniated IVDs, while no macrophages presented in normal IVD (b, c). Further we found that these infiltrated macrophages (brown color) mainly distributed in the outer layer of annulus fibrosus, and the inner degenerated NP tissue (b, c).

(a)

(b)

(c)