Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Development of an Insert Co-culture System of Two Cellular Types in the Absence of Cell-Cell Contact
Published on: July 17, 2016
Co-culture of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exerts an Anti-apoptotic Effect on Nucleus Pulposus Cells
Defang Li1, Weibin Chen1, Lei Ding1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Introduction:
This study aims to investigate the effect of non-contact co-culture of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs).
Methods:
Rat primary BMSCs and NPCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. To induce apoptosis, NPCs were exposed to varying concentrations of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). A non-contact co-culture system was utilized to assess the influence of BMSCs on TBHP-induced apoptosis in NPCs. Apoptosis rates were measured by flow cytometry, and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was analyzed by Western blot.
Results:
Primary cultures successfully yielded both BMSCs and NPCs. TBHP treatment led to a concentration- dependent increase in NPC apoptosis. Based on the CCK-8 assay, 100 μmol/ml was selected as the optimal experimental concentration. Co-culture with BMSCs significantly enhanced the anti-apoptotic capacity of NPCs, reducing the apoptosis rate. This was accompanied by decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and Bax, and increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway was also observed, with elevated levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT.
Discussion:
In the non-contact co-culture system, BMSCs alleviated TBHP-induced NPC damage via a paracrine effect, providing new theoretical insights for therapeutic development.
Conclusion:
BMSCs may reduce TBHP-induced NPC damage through paracrine signaling, a mechanism linked to the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

