Fig. 4

3-MA suppressed BMP-2-induced osteoblast differentiation molecules and autophagy-related molecules. A BMP-2 (25 ng/mL)-induced osteoblast differentiation molecules were mediated by autophagy signaling. The cells were incubated with BMP-2 in the presence or absence of 3-MA (5 mM), which is a PI3K inhibitor. B, C The bar graphs show the mean from five samples (mean ± SEM). * and **Indicate P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively, vs. treatment with BMP-2 alone. D Cells were treated with BMP-2 (25 ng/mL) plus AICAR (500 μM) in the presence or absence of 3-MA (5 mM). Western blotting was conducted using targeted and ß-actin antibodies. Similar results were obtained in three independent experiments