Figure 7.
BMP7-derived peptide p[63−82] in rat MMT model
The potency of BMP7 peptide p[63−82] to delay the progression of trauma-induced cartilage degeneration was tested in the rat MMT model. 1 week post-MMT-surgery, rats were two times per week intra-articularly injected with saline, 100 ng peptide p[63−82] in saline, or 100 ng scrambled peptide p[63−82] in saline (10 rats per group). All injection volumes were 50 μL. At 4 weeks post-MMT surgery, rats were sacrificed for histopathological scoring of the MMT knee joints. (A) Representative micrographs of toluidine blue-stained sections of medial aspects of the MMT knee joints. Conditions are indicated. (B) Medial tibia cartilage-degeneration scores. (C) Medial femur cartilage-degeneration scores. (D) Medial tibia cartilage-degeneration depth ratios. Scores and ratios are shown for zones 1, 2, and 3 individually.35 The total scores/ratio are cumulative for zone 1, 2, and 3. (E) Total joint scores. Individual data points represent individual rats. Error bars represent mean ± SEM. Statistical differences were calculated between groups (Mann-Whitney U test), and ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗p < 0.001. Other data from this MMT experiment are shown in Figure S5.