Fig 3. The expression of SOX9 is increased and the functional shift COL2A towards COL1A is impaired in human primary cultured chondrocytes in response to ESWT, HA and PRP.

Real-time RT PCR quantitated mRNA transcript levels. The expression of SOX9, COL1A, COL2A and COL1A/COL1A ratio was calculated. Results reported in the graph were obtained from four different cultures and represent the mean values ±SD obtained from three independent experiments. Student’s t-test was calculated to evaluate significant differences: values p<0.001 (**) and p<0.05 (*) were considered statistically significant vs the corresponding untreated.