Fig. 1 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 1

From: Mitofusin 1 in mitochondrial quality control and anti-inflammatory responses in nucleus pulposus cells during disc degeneration

Fig. 1

Schematic summary of the proposed mechanism. In human nucleus pulposus cells, TNF-α stimulation induces MFN1/2 expression, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. These effects are more pronounced in grade III degenerated discs, particularly via MFN1. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and saponin attenuate MFN expression and preserve mitochondrial and ECM integrity, with vitamin E showing greater efficacy. MFN: mitofusin, TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α, Vit E: vitamin E, SPN: saponin. (Created using OriginPro 2025b (OriginLab Corporation, Northampton, MA, USA). Figure was drawn by Dr. Dong-Soo Jang, Yonsei University College of Medicine).

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