Fig. 6
Expression of MFN1, MFN2, and proteoglycan in grade Ⅲ disc NPCs. Expression was evaluated in vivo using western blot analysis. Samples were categorized into negative control (mock), MFN1-knockout, and positive control groups. (a) Grade II disc NPCs; (b) MFN1, (c) MFN2, and (d) proteoglycan in grade Ⅲ disc NPCs. In all experiments, the samples were categorized into negative control (mock), MFN1-knockout, and positive control groups. Western blot analysis was performed using 20 μg of protein per lane. The band intensity was normalized to that of β-actin for semiquantitative comparison across groups and time points. Expression was evaluated on days 1 and 7 post-transplantation to assess temporal changes among the groups. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (n = 3) from paired t-tests. *p < 0.05. MFN: mitofusin, KO: knockout mice, GFP: green fluorescent protein, NPC: nucleus pulposus cell.
