Fig. 5.

a Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondins, Tissue Inhibitors of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3, and the Metalloproteinase family gene expression by chondrocyte pellets. a ADAMST-4, b ADAMST-5, c TIMP3, d the gene expression of the MMP family on day 14 (n = 5), Significance: ^# P < 0.05 compared with the dp2-CSA and CSA-free groups; ^$ P < 0.05 compared with the dp4-CSA and CSA-free groups; and *P < 0.05 compared with the dp8-CSA and CSA-free groups. The relative quantification reflects the change in gene expression in the experimental groups relative to the CSA-free treatment group on day 3