Research Paper Volume 16, Issue 4 pp 3896—3914
GAS5, a long noncoding RNA, contributes to annulus fibroblast osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis in intervertebral disk degeneration via the miR-221-3p/SOX11 axis
Figure 3. LncRNA GAS5 facilitates Afs apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation. AFs were transiently infected with the overexpression plasmid or GAS5 siRNA, while an empty vector and si-NC were used as negative controls. (A) The osteogenic differentiation-related markers were detected using a western blotting assay (n = 3). The osteogenic differentiation level of AFs with different transfections was evaluated by (B) ALP and (C) ARS assays. (n = 3) (D) The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blotting (n = 3). (E) TUNEL staining assay was performed to analyze the apoptosis of AFs (n = 3). (**p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001, vs. the vector group; #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01, and ###p < 0.001, vs. the si-NC group).