Microarray analysis of expression of cell death-associated genes in rat spinal cord cells exposed to cyclic tensile stresses in vitro

Mechanical stresses on the spinal cord can lead to cell death and changes in gene expression. This study investigates how cyclic tensile stresses affect cultured spinal cord cells. The study uses a cell-stretching apparatus to apply cyclic tensile force to cultured spinal cord cells. Cell morphology and viability were examined over 72 hours. Microarray analysis identified genes related to apoptosis and response to stimulus. The MAPK signaling pathway was found to be upregulated.

• 1
  Cyclic tensile stress reduces the viability of cultured spinal cord cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
• 2
  Increasing either the strain or the strain rate independently was associated with significant decreases in spinal cord cell survival.
• 3
  GO analysis identified 44 candidate genes which were significantly related to "apoptosis" and 17 genes related to "response to stimulus".