Fig. 4

Estrogen antagonized ASIC1a-induced mitochondrial stress. A–C Quantitative PCR detection of Hsp10, Lonp1, and ClpP mRNA levels in chondrocytes pretreated with E2 and PcTx-1, followed by stimulation with pH 6.0. D–F Immunofluorescence analysis of HSP10, LONP1and ClpP expression in chondrocytes treated with E2. The scale bars are 20 μm. G Measurements of ROS released by mitochondria in chondrocytes after pre-treatment with E2. The scale bars are 20 μm. H Effects of E2 on mitochondrial structural damage in ASIC1a-induced chondrocytes as assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis of the mitochondria. Key: M, mitochondria; N, nucleus; Scale bar,1 μm (top panels) and 200 nm (bottom panels). Data are presented as the mean ± SD of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001