Propionibacterium acnes Induces Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Promoting iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ Activation via the ROS-Dependent NF-κB Pathway

Figure 3

Inoculation with P. acnes induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE₂ expressions in NPCs. (a) Time curve expression of iNOS, COX-2, aggrecan, and collagen II in NPCs induced by P. acnes at a MOI = 100 : 1. (b, c) P. acnes inoculation increased NO and PGE₂ production in a time-dependent manner. The groups with different incubation times compared with the negative control group. (d, e) Western blot analysis of iNOS, COX-2, aggrecan, and collagen II expression in NPCs infected with P. acnes for 24 hours, pretreated with or without L-NMMA (100 μM) and DS (200 nM). /The infected group compared with the infection + L-NMMA and/or DS groups. The infection + L-NMMA and DS group compared with the infection + L-NMMA or DS groups. (f, g) The concentration of NO and PGE₂ production induced by P. acnes infection for 24 hours, pretreated with or without L-NMMA (100 μM) and DS (200 nM). The infection group compared with the infection + L-NMMA or DS groups. (h, i) Immunofluorescence analysis of iNOS and COX-2 expressions in NPCs induced by P. acnes infection for 24 hours, pretreated with or without L-NMMA (100 μM) and DS (200 nM); . values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Data are presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments.

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