Figure 6.
Loss of Runx2 in chondrocytes isolated from early postnatal mice causes decreased expression of genes encoding to matrix degradation enzymes. (a–h) Primary articular chondrocytes were isolated from 4-day-old Runx2 Agc1CreER mice (Cre+) and Cre-negative control mice (Cre−) and treated with 4-hydroxy tamoxifen (1 μM) for 24 hours, followed by real-time PCR assay. Expression of Mmp9, Mmp13, Adamts4, Adamts5, Adamts7 and Adamts12 was significantly reduced in Runx2 deficient chondrocytes (*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, Unpaired Student’s t-test; n = 3 mice per group).