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. 2018 Jun 7;13(6):e0198510. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198510

Fig 4. Gfi1-ko/ko mutants upon SPF+nonSPF housing show elevated osteoclast activity and bone cell marker expression.

Fig 4

(A) In Gfi1-ko/ko mutant mice kept under SPF and SPF+nonSPF Rankl plasma levels are unaffected and Opg is elevated compared to Gfi1-wt/wt mice. Bone resorption (CTX-I) is mildly increased in Gfi1-ko/ko mice under both conditions. Bone formation (PINP) is mildly reduced in SPF Gfi1-ko/ko mice compared to Gfi1-wt/wt but not under SPF+nonSPF conditions. Error bars represent SD and statistical significance was calculated with t-test, * p ≤ 0.05 and ** p ≤ 0.01. (B) Relative expression of bone marker mRNA was analyzed with qPCR and Gapdh was used as endogenous control. Results are presented as ratio Gfi1-ko/ko vs. Gfi1-wt/wt (n = 3 with 3 technical replicates/sample; error bar indicates SD). Normal expression is indicated with the dotted line at 1. All Ob. specific markers such as Col1a1, Runx2, and Spp1 are approx. 2-fold elevated. (C) Markers indicating mature Oc. such as Acp5 and Ctsk are approx. 4-fold increased. Interestingly, the marker for Oc. progenitor cells Sfip1 (Pu.1) is also 4-fold elevated. Relative expression of Oc. marker mRNA was analyzed with qPCR and Gapdh was used as endogenous control.