Fig. 3.

Analysis of aggrecanase gene products induced by FN domains. Primary porcine chondrocytes were isolated using collagenase digestion. After resting overnight, cells (1 < 106/well) were washed 3 times in serum-free medium and stimulated for 24 h with IL-1 (10 ng/ml), FN III 12, FN III 13, FN III 14 and FN III 13–14, all at 1 μM in serum-free medium. After the culture period, RNA was isolated from cells and subjected to RT-PCR for ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 with GAPDH as controls. Results show fold change for ADAMTS-4 or ADAMTS-5 compared with GAPDH controls (n = 3). Statistically significant values: ∗ p < 0.05.