Notochordal cells protect nucleus pulposus cells from degradation and apoptosis: implications for the mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration

Table 2 Normalized fold changes (HPRT) in gene expression by NP cells cultured in NCCM and treated with IL-1β+FasL

Gene	Normalized Fold Change in Gene Expression
Collagen Type 2	1.57 fold increase
Aggrecan	65.5 fold increase
Link Protein	54.5 fold increase
CD44 Receptor	1.76 fold increase
MMP3	1.53 fold decrease
ADAMTS4	3.4 fold increase
TIMP1	4.8 fold increase
IL-6	1.9 fold decrease
Ank	1.5 fold decrease

'Fold change' was calculated by dividing the mean ΔΔCT value for each gene of interest treated with IL-1β + FasL/mean ΔΔCT for cells treated with IL-1β + FasL + NCCM. The gene expression data which is presented graphically in Figures 4 to 6 is normalized to basal medium conditions (bovine NP cells treated with basal medium without the addition of IL-1β or IL-1β + FasL. Abbreviations: CD44 (cluster of differentiation 44), MMP3 (matrix metalloproteinase-3), ADAMS4 (A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4), TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1), IL-6 (interleukin-6), Ank (Ank gene).

ISSN: 1478-6362