The mechanism of α2-macroglobulin against oxidative stress and promoting cell proliferation in intervertebral disc degeneration

Figures & data

Figure 1. The average age and gender distribution of patients with nucleus pulposus removal.

Figure 2. Distribution of nucleus pulposus removal site of patients.

Figure 3. Microscopic image of nucleus pulposus cells in the first transfer generation.

Note: Figures a, b, c, and d were the images of nucleus pulposus cells taken from the L3+ L4+ L5 site, L3+ L4 site, L4+ L5 site, and L4 site alone, respectively.

Figure 4. CD24 and FBLN1 gene expression results in myeloid cells.

Figure 5. CCK-8 OD values of nucleus pulposus cells with different concentrations of α2 MG in each period of culture.

Note: * meant the difference was statistically great in contrast to the CCK-8 OD value of patients in the Con group (P < 0.05).

Figure 6. The morphology of nucleus pulposus cells in each culture period.

Note: the first row was the cell diagram of group Z, and the second row showed the cell diagram of group D; a, b, and c were all nucleus pulposus cells observed after 1 day; d, e, and f were all nucleus pulposus cells observed after 3 days; g, h, and j were all nucleus pulposus cells observed after 5 days; and k, l, and m were all nucleus pulposus cells observed after 7 days.

Figure 7. Comparison on SOA content in each group of patients.

Note: * indicated that the SOA content of each group sample was remarkably different from the group Z (P < 0.05); # indicated that the SOA content of each group sample showed a visible difference within the group (P < 0.05).

Figure 8. The SOD activity curve of nucleus pulposus cells in each culture period.

Note: * marked the obvious different in SOD activity in contrast to the group Z (P < 0.05).

Figure 9. The electrophoresis results of each group of samples.

Note: the upper part of the electrophoresis band in the figure was the electrophoresis result of the target protein α-SMA, and the lower part was the electrophoresis result of the reference protein GAPDH. The images from left to right were the electrophoresis results of groups A, B, C, D, E, and Z, respectively.

Figure 10. The target protein content of each group of samples.

Note: * marked the obvious different in relative expression of target protein in contrast to the group Z (P < 0.05).