Figure 5.

A TCP1 and PSMC1 mRNA expression were significantly decreased in AS patients. **P < 0.001. b TCP1 protein expression was analyzed using western blot. TCP1 protein levels in AS decreased compared to those in control. c Sections of interspinous ligament from AS patients and healthy controls were immunostained for TCP1 and counterstained with hematoxylin. The black arrows indicate fibrochondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed that TCP1 was expressed in the nucleus of fibrochondrocytes under normal conditions, but absent in AS patients