ROS accumulation of different treatments in SGNs and Bmi1, Hsp70, SOD1, and SOD2 mRNA expression of SGNs in vitro. ROS accumulation in SGNs was showed by MitoSOX Red and was detected with the immune-fluorescence assay in the control group (a), PTC-209 treated group (b), Hsp70-overexpressing adenovirus group (c), and Hsp70-overexpressing adenovirus followed the PTC-209-treated group (d), while the quantity of ROS accumulation was analyzed by fluorescence intensity (e). Scale bars represent 50 μm. Furthermore, values are means ± SD (N = 80). ∗P < 0.05 vs. control group; ∗∗P < 0.05 vs. control group. Statistical analysis of the results presented in (e) was performed with one-way ANOVA (F = 634.9; P < 0.0001), followed by Newman-Keuls' post hoc test (∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.05; N = 80 animals from 4 groups). Relative mRNA expressions of Bmi1, Hsp70, SOD1, and SOD2 were determined by quantitative RT-PCR (f). β-Actin RNA level was used as an endogenous control. Values are means ± SD (n = 12 animals/group). ∗P < 0.05 vs. control group.