Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Measurement of the Compressibility of Cell and Nucleus Based on Acoustofluidic Microdevice

Measurement of the Compressibility of Cell and Nucleus Based on Acoustofluidic Microdevice

Published on: July 14, 2022

CsA attenuates compression-induced nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells apoptosis via alleviating mitochondrial

Zhiliang Li¹, Songfeng Chen², Kaige Ma¹

¹Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.

|May 11, 2018

Abstract

Aims:

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of cyclosporine A (CsA), which efficiently inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, on compression-induced apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs).

Materials And Methods:

Human NP-MSCs were subjected to various periods of 1.0 MPa compression. Cell viability was evaluated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The cellular ultrastructure and ATP level were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ATP detection kit respectively. The apoptosis ratio was determined using Annexin V/PI dual staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The levels of apoptosis-associated molecules (cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) were analyzed by western blot and qRT-PCR. Additionally, MPTP opening, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the levels of oxidative stress-related indicators (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were monitored.

Key Findings:

Annexin V/PI dual staining and detection of apoptosis-associated molecules demonstrated that compression significantly up-regulated apoptosis level of NP-MSCs in a time-dependent manner. CsA greatly down-regulated compression-mediated NP-MSC apoptosis and the cell death ratio. Compression also notably exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion and oxidative stress in NP-MSCs, all of which were rescued by CsA.

Significance:

Our results demonstrated that CsA efficiently inhibited compression-induced NP-MSCs apoptosis by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. These findings provide new insights into intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD), and suggest CsA treatment as a potential strategy for delaying or even preventing IVDD.

Insights

Cyclosporine A (CsA) protects human nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs) from compression-induced apoptosis. CsA alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, offering a potential strategy for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Cell Biology
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a significant cause of low back pain.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for disc homeostasis, but are susceptible to mechanical stress.
Compression-induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus MSCs (NP-MSCs) contributes to IVDD.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the protective effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on NP-MSCs under compression.
To elucidate the mechanisms by which CsA inhibits apoptosis, focusing on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.
To evaluate CsA as a potential therapeutic agent for IVDD.

Main Methods:

Human NP-MSCs were subjected to mechanical compression.
Cell viability, apoptosis ratio, and cellular ultrastructure were assessed.
Mitochondrial function (MPTP opening, MMP, ATP levels) and oxidative stress markers (ROS, SOD, MDA) were measured.
Apoptosis-associated molecules were analyzed via western blot and qRT-PCR.

Main Results:

Compression significantly increased NP-MSC apoptosis in a time-dependent manner.
CsA treatment effectively reduced compression-induced apoptosis and cell death.
CsA rescued compression-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, and oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

CsA protects NP-MSCs from compression-induced apoptosis by mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.
These findings highlight CsA's potential as a therapeutic strategy to delay or prevent IVDD.
Further research into CsA's role in disc regeneration is warranted.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Apoptosis Cyclosporine A Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)Mitochondrial dysfunction Nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells Oxidative stress

More Related Videos

Tracking Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-labeled Mesenchymal Stem Cells using MRI after Intranasal Delivery in a Traumatic Brain Injury Murine Model

Tracking Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-labeled Mesenchymal Stem Cells using MRI after Intranasal Delivery in a Traumatic Brain Injury Murine Model

Published on: November 21, 2019

Light-Induced Dielectrophoresis for Characterizing the Electrical Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Light-Induced Dielectrophoresis for Characterizing the Electrical Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Published on: June 16, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...

The Nucleus

The Nucleus

The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...

Adult Stem Cells

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...

Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes

Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes

Transcriptional attenuation occurs when RNA transcription is prematurely terminated due to the formation of a terminator mRNA hairpin structure. Bacteria use these hairpins to regulate the transcription process and control the synthesis of several amino acids including histidine, lysine, threonine, and phenylalanine. Transcription attenuation takes place in the non-coding regions of mRNA.
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Pterostilbene inhibits ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis via the NRF2/NCOA4/FTH1 axis and alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration through nanoliposomal delivery.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·2026

VDAC1-mediated cytosolic leakage of mtDNA triggers pyroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells by activating the TLR9 signaling pathway.

Cellular signalling·2026

MiRNA Let-7i-5p-Contained Small Extracellular Vesicles from Macrophages Induce Nucleus Pulposus Cell Senescence via Targeting LIN28A.

International journal of nanomedicine·2025

Alleviation of inflammation in paraventricular nucleus and sympathetic outflow by melatonin efficiently repairs endplate porosities and attenuates spinal hyperalgesia.

International immunopharmacology·2025

Implications of circadian disruption on intervertebral disc degeneration: The mediating role of sympathetic nervous system.

Ageing research reviews·2024

Kongensin A targeting PI3K attenuates inflammation-induced osteoarthritis by modulating macrophage polarization and alleviating inflammatory signaling.

International immunopharmacology·2024

See all related articles