Apelin Promotes ECM Synthesis by Enhancing Autophagy Flux via TFEB in Human Degenerative NP Cells under Oxidative Stress

Figure 4

Apelin promotes autophagy via TFEB in degenerative NP cells under oxidative stress. (a) Western blot analysis for TFEB (nucleoprotein), LC3II/I, and p62 after autophagy was inhibited by esiRNA-TFEB. The protein levels of TFEB (nucleoprotein) and LC3II/I are decreased and p62 is increased after treated with esiRNA-TFEB. Apelin 13 fails to rescue autophagy flux inhibition caused by esiRNA-TFEB. (b) Schematic representation of proposed mechanism of Apelin promotes ECM synthesis of human degenerative NP cells under oxidative stress by activating autophagy flux via TFEB. All experiments were repeated at least three times. TFEB: transcription factor EB; NP: nucleus pulposus; ECM: extracellular matrix.

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