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

Figure 8

Silencing of ITG α6 accelerates puncture-induced IVDD in vivo. (a) Western blot analysis of ITG α6 and β-actin expression of NP tissues in the rat model treated with siRNA-ITG α6-CH. (b) The results of western blot analysis are expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . siRNA-ITG α6-CH injected into IVD significantly decreased the expression of ITG α6 in vivo. (c) MRI was used to investigate disc changes and then the Pfirrmann score. (d) The data of the Pfirrmann score were expressed as percentages of positive mean . . , . (e, f) HE and Alcian Blue staining showed the severity of IVDD changes at 2 weeks after puncture compared with the control group. (g) Immunofluorescence staining of Col2α1 at 2 weeks after puncture compared with the control group. (h) Quantitative analysis of positive staining. The intensity of the immunofluorescence of Col2α1was markedly decreased in the rat model treated with siRNA-ITG α6-CH. . , .

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