Involvement of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 4 in the Increased Expression of RANK/RANKL/OPG System and Neurotrophins by Nucleus Pulposus Cells under the Degenerated Intervertebral Disc-Like Acidic Microenvironment

Figure 3

The influence of GPR4 and its downstream signaling molecules in the expression levels of the receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the degenerated IVD-like acidic condition. The expression levels of RANK, RANKL, and OPG were assayed by RT-PCR (a) and western blot (b). Data were represented as of 6 independent experiments performed in triplicate; ANOVA was used to find out differences between cells in the same pH level and Student’s -test was used to find out differences within same cell between pH 7.2 and 6.5. (; ; ; ^§; ^§§; ^§§§).

(a)

(b)