Figure 6 | Scientific Reports

Figure 6

From: Aberrant spinal mechanical loading stress triggers intervertebral disc degeneration by inducing pyroptosis and nerve ingrowth

Figure 6

Aberrant mechanical stress activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway of IVD tissues. (a) qPCR analysis for β-catenin, Lef1 in the IVD at 1-, 2- and 4-W post-surgery. (b) Immunofluorescence for β-catenin in the IVD tissues at 1-, 2- and 4-W post-surgery (green). DAPI stains nuclei blue. White arrowheads indicate high expression of β-catenin in NP. White arrows indicate high expression of β-catenin in AF. (c) Immunostaining for Lef1 Tcf4, and Dkk1 in the IVD at 4-W post-surgery (brown). Hematoxylin stains nuclei purple. Black arrows indicate high expression of Lef1, Tcf4 and Dkk1 in AF. (d) Quantification of β-catenin expression in IVD of (b). (e) Quantification of Tcf4, Lef1 and Dkk1 expression in IVD of (c). The averages of integrated optical density in interest region was calculated by Image-Pro Plus software version 6.0 (https://www.mediacy.com). Data are shown as mean ± sem. Three independent experiments were performed in triplicate. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared to Sham group.

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