Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Piezo1 Activated by Matrix Stiffness Regulates Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence and Apoptosis in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Figure 4

siPiezo1 partially ameliorates IDD and decreases ECM stiffness in vivo. (a) The representative T2 weighted MR images of rat tails after surgery and treatment. (b) Pfirrmann grades of different experimental groups at 4 weeks after surgery. (c) Representative HE staining images of disc specimens from different experimental groups, scale bar: 1 mm and 250 μm. (d) Representative SO staining images of disc specimens from different experimental groups, scale bar: 1 mm and 250 μm. (e) Histological scores in different experimental groups. (f) The elasticity modulus of rat NP tissue specimens from different experimental groups was measured via atomic force microscope (AFM). (g) Immunohistochemical experiments of apoptosis indicator (cleaved caspase-3) and senescence marker (P16). (h) Average percentages of cleaved caspase-3 and P16-positive cells in different groups, scale bar: 100 μm. Data are presented as ().

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