Fig. 4.

circ-NFKB1 is upregulated in OA cartilage tissues and chondrocytes. A The expression of circ-NFKB1 was measured in OA cartilage tissues and normal controls by RT-PCR analysis. B circ-NFKB1 level was detected in normal chondrocytes and IL-β-induced chondrocytes. C Relative circ-NFKB1 expression in si-NC and si-circ-NFKB1 groups. D Flow cytometer analysis for the apoptosis of chondrocytes: control, IL-1β, IL-1β + si-NC, IL-1β + si-circ-NFKB1. E Expressions of Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins detected by Western blot assay. F Changes in inflammatory cytokines in control, IL-1β, IL-1β + si-NC and IL-1β + si-circ-NFKB1 groups. *P < 0.05