Fig. 4.

The extracellular matrix profile of ApoE KO discs. A: The contents of GAG is significantly decreased in NP cells of ApoE KO mice, while the hydroxyproline is increased in AF cells and decreased in the NP cells. The AF and NP cells were isolated from WT and ApoE KO discs at age 15 weeks. The contents of GAG and hydroxyproline were measured by biochemical assays. Data was normalized to the content of DNA. B: The expression of collagen I, II, aggrecan, and biglycan genes is decreased and increased in the NP and AF cells, respectively. Total RNA was isolated and gene expression was measured by real time RT-PCR. mRNA was normalized to 18s. Cells from 4 mice of each genotype were pooled and each experiment was triplicated. *p < 0.05