Fig. 5.

Graph showing that alpha-haemolysin (Hla) alone affected in situ chondrocyte viability. Osteochondral explants cultured with Hla^-Hlb⁺Hlg⁺ supernatant were compared with those cultured with 8325-4 supernatant. The only difference between the two culture supernatants was the presence or absence of Hla. There was significant chondrocyte death at each timepoint in explants exposed to the 8325-4 supernatant in comparison with those exposed to the Hla^-Hlb⁺Hlg⁺ supernatant (N = 4 (n = 8); *p < 0.05; ‡p < 0.001 by unpaired Student’s two-tailed t-test). The confocal laser-scanning microscopy images display the influence of Hla on in situ chondrocyte viability.