Fig. 4.

SeNPs have a protective effect on NPCs in the inflammatory environment caused by IL-1β. A Immunofluorescence staining of aggrecan in NPCs. B Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA levels of nucleus pulposus matrix genes Mmp13 and Adamts5. (n = 4). C Western blotting was used to determine the levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 protein in NPCs. D Transmission electron microscopy images of intracellular mitochondria of NPCs. E Effect of SeNPs on ATP content in NPCs under inflammatory environment. F JC-1 fluorescence staining results of NPCs under inflammatory environment. G Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA levels of genes Sdha, Atp5, Nd4 and Cox4. (n = 4) H Western blotting was used to determine the effects of the SeNPs on the levels of protein SDHA, ATP5, ND4 and COX4 in NPCs under inflammatory environment. Statistically significant differences are indicated by # where P < 0.05 or ## where P < 0.01 compared with the control group; * where P < 0.05 or ** where P < 0.01 between the indicated group