Fig. 3.

qPCR and ELISA analysis the expressions of MMPs, inflammatory factors and cartilage related genes in vitro. qPCR analysis of the expression of MMPs [MMP1 (a), MMP3 (b), MMP13 (c)], inflammatory factors (TNF-α) (d), chondrogenic markers (AGC (e), COL-II (f)), TIMP1(g), and BCL2 (h) in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β and various materials. The gene expression was normalized to that of the housekeeping gene GAPDH. The secreted levels of MMPs [MMP1 (i), MMP3 (j), MMP13 (k)], and TNF-α (l) in the supernatants of normal chondrocytes and inflammatory chondrocytes treated with various materials, as assayed by ELISA. Statistical analysis: (^*) compared to the IL-1β group; ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001. (^#) Compared to the control group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001