Increased Expression of Integrin Alpha 6 in Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Response to High Oxygen Tension Protects against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Figure 3

The expression of ITG α6 is increased in the NP tissue from the rat model with mild degeneration of IVDD. (a, b) HE staining and Alcian Blue staining of NP tissues in the rat model at 2 and 4 weeks after annulus needle puncture. (c) Western blot analysis of ITG α6 and β-actin expression of NP tissues in the rat model. (d) The results of western blot analysis are expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . (e) Immunofluorescence staining of ITG α6 in NP tissue in the rat model. (f) Quantitative positive immunofluorescence staining analysis of ITG α6. . , . (g) Immunofluorescence staining of HIF-1α in NP tissue in the rat model. (h) Quantitative positive immunofluorescence staining analysis of HIF-1α. . , . (i) TUNEL staining of NP tissues to examine the apoptosis in the rat model. (j) Quantitative positive staining analysis of TUNEL staining. . , .

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