Fig 5. The protective effects of RSV were markedly reduced following the siRNA-mediated knockdown of MFN2 compared with those in the negative RNAi groups, as shown in the MFN2 siRNA+RSV+CSE group and the RNAi+RSV+CSE group.

(A-B) As for the MFN2 siRNA groups, an increased number of apoptotic cells was detected, together with a much higher apoptotic rate than the control RNAi groups (B), which was consistent with the changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) analyzed by JC-1 fluorescence (A). Group 9 had a lower red/green rate than group 8. *:p<0.05, **:p<0.01, #:p>0.05.