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

Figure 7

The existence of an interaction and feedback regulation between HIF-1α and ITG α6 in NP cells exposed to HOT. (a) Western blot analysis of HIF-1α and β-actin expression in NP cells treated with HOT for 24 h and 48 h. (b) The results of western blot analysis are expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . (c) Western blot analysis of HIF-1α and β-actin expression in NP cells treated with siRNA-ITG α6 and HOT. (d) The results of western blot analysis are expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . (e) Western blot analysis of HIF-1α, ITG α6, and β-actin expression in NP cells treated with siRNA-HIF-1α or VHL and HOT. (f) The results of western blot analysis are expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . (g) Immunofluorescence staining of ITG α6 in the knockout (HIF-1α^-/-) mouse model and the WT mouse. (h) Quantitative analysis of positive staining. The intensity of the immunofluorescence of ITG α6 was markedly increased in the HIF-1α knockout (HIF-1α^-/-) mouse model. . , .

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