Fig. 3 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 3

From: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells modulate miR-202-3p to suppress neuronal apoptosis following spinal cord injury through autophagy activation via the AMPK, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Fig. 3

BMMSCs enhance neuronal viability and promote the regeneration of axons after SCI. (A) TUNEL staining was employed to assess the extent of apoptotic cell death in the injured spinal cord tissue (scale bar = 50 µm). (B) Nissl staining of spinal cord tissue was conducted to evaluate the depletion of Nissl bodies within neurons. (C, D) We performed immunofluorescence staining for Bcl-xL and NeuN in the injured spinal cord tissue to assess the expression levels and localization of these proteins within neuronal populations (scale bar = 40 µm). (E, F) Western blotting was carried out to measure the expression of NeuN on day 28 following SCI. (G)Western blot analysis revealed that BMMSCs administration resulted in the downregulation of BAX and the upregulation of Bcl-xL expression within the spinal cord tissue. (H, I) BAX and Bcl-xL levels were relative to those of GAPDH in the spinal cord.

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