Fig. 2.

HOTAIR inhibits chondrocyte proliferation but promotes apoptosis and ECM degradation. A The expression of HOTAIR was detected by qRT-PCR in chondrocytes transfected with pcDNA, HOTAIR overexpression vector, si-NC or si-HOTAIR after 24-h post-transfection. B Cell proliferation was measured in chondrocytes transfected with pcDNA, HOTAIR overexpression vector, si-NC or si-HOTAIR by CCK-8 at 0, 24, 48 or 72 h. C Cell apoptosis was detected in chondrocytes transfected with pcDNA, HOTAIR overexpression vector, si-NC or si-HOTAIR by flow cytometry at 72 h after culture. D The protein levels of Aggrecan, Collagen II, MMP-13 and MMP-9 were detected in chondrocytes transfected with pcDNA, HOTAIR overexpression vector, si-NC or si-HOTAIR by western blot at 72 h after culture. n = 3. Data were expressed as mean ± S.D. *P < 0.05