Overexpression of LMP-1 Decreases Apoptosis in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells via Suppressing the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Figure 3

LMP-1 overexpression mediated proliferation, ECM synthesis, and apoptosis of NPCs. (a) Cell proliferation of the LV-control and LV-LMP-1 groups was measured on days 1, 3, and 7. (b) Gene expression levels of Acan, SOX9, Col2, and Col1 of NPCs in each group were measured on day 14 and normalized to 18 s. (c) sGAG synthesis by NPCs was observed by Alcian blue staining on days 14. (d) Measurement of intracellular ROS generation in the LV-control and LV-LMP-1 groups using a DCFH-DA probe by fluorometry. (e) The protein expression levels of aggrecan, SOX9, collagen II, and collagen I of NPCs in each group were measured and (f) quantified on day 14. (g) The protein expression levels of caspase-3, cleaved-caspased-3, Bcl-2, and Bax of NPCs in each group were measured and (h) quantified on day 3. (i) Cell apoptosis of each group was detected by PI/Annexin V assays. Data represent ; vs. the LV-control group. .

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