The Activation of ROS/NF-κB/MMP-9 Pathway Promotes Calcium-Induced Kidney Crystal Deposition

Figure 5

Knockdown or overexpression of MMP-9 affected epithelial–osteoblastic transformation and calcium crystal deposition of NRK-52E cells. (a) The expressions of OPN, RUNX2, and E-cadherin mRNAs were detected by q-PCR assay in NRK-52E cells with or without high-calcium exposure, as well as MMP-9 knockdown or overexpression. (b) The expressions of OPN, RUNX2, and E-cadherin proteins were detected by western blot assay in NRK-52E cells with or without high-calcium exposure, as well as MMP-9 knockdown or overexpression. Quantitative analysis of the densities of western blot bands. (c) Calcium crystal deposition was detected by Alizarin red staining in NRK-52E cells with or without high-calcium exposure, as well as MMP-9 knockdown or overexpression. (d) Ultrastructure was observed by TEM in NRK-52E cells with or without high-calcium exposure, as well as MMP-9 knockdown or overexpression. The red arrows indicated the crystal adhesion. versus the control group, versus the control group.

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