Figure 6.

CeO₂NPs modulate osteoclast-specific gene expression via up- or downregulating the MAPK pathway, NF-κB pathway, and Nfatc1 signaling in a concentration-dependent manner.

Notes: (A–F) qPCR analysis of expression of the osteoclast-specific genes Acp5, Ctsk, Dcstamp, Traf6, C-fos, and Calcr relative to Beta-actin in BMMs that were stimulated with RANKL for 4 days in the presence of various concentrations of CeO₂NPs (n=3 per group). (G and H) Western blot analysis of the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. BMMs were pretreated with different concentrations of CeO₂NPs for 24 h before stimulation with RANKL for 20 min. (I) Western blot of the translocation of dephosphorylated Nfatc1 into the nuclei of BMMs. BMMs were pretreated with different concentrations of CeO₂NPs for 24 h before stimulation with RANKL for 40 min. All bar graphs are presented as the mean ± SD. **Indicates p<0.01 compared with the vehicle group (0 mg/L, RANKL+).