Azithromycin Promotes the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells after Stimulation with TNF-α

Figure 5

Immunocytochemical staining and the expression levels of the apoptosis proteins caspase-3 and caspase-8 in human PDLSCs. (a) Immunofluorescence staining. PDLSCs were incubated in osteogenic medium with or without TNF-α and AZM as indicated for 24 h. (b–d) The expression levels of caspase-3,caspase-8,cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-8 were detected by Western blot analysis. The results showed that TNF-α induced cell apoptosis and that AZM treatment prevented PDLSCs from undergoing TNF-α-induced apoptosis. AZM alone at 10 or 20 μg/ml had no effect on apoptosis. indicates significant differences. Data are presented as means ± SD.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)