Fig. 2 | Laboratory Investigation

Fig. 2

From: TSG-6 secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway

Fig. 2

The mRNA and protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, aggrecan, and collagen II in IL-1β-treated NPCs. Real-time RT-PCR showed that IL-1β significantly increased the expression of a MMP-3 and b MMP-13 in NPCs at each time point. In contrast, the expression levels of c aggrecan and d collagen II in NPCs were reduced at each time point after IL-1β treatment. All mRNA levels were normalized to the level of β-actin mRNA. e, h Representative image of protein levels of MMP-3, MMP-13, aggrecan, and collagen II. Quantitative analysis of western blotting results showed that IL-1β significantly increased the expression of f MMP-3, g MMP-13 and decreased the expression levels of i aggrecan and j collagen II in NPCs at each time point. The data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 6 in each group). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01 versus the Control group (Con)

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