Figure 3.

Micro‐damaged CEPs influence mRNA expression of anabolic and catabolic molecules. Transcriptional levels are shown for (a) Sox9, (b) Aggrecan, (c) Collagen type II, (d) MMP3, (e) MMP13, and (f) ADAMTS5. Compared to the control group (N = 8), the micro‐damaged CEP group (N = 8) showed decreased expression of molecules associated with anabolism (Sox9, aggrecan, and collagen type II), but increased expression of molecules associated with catabolism (MMP 3, MMP13, and ADAMTS5). RT‐qPCR data were normalized to SDHA. Sox9, SRY (sex‐determining region Y)‐box9; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; ADAMTS, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001