Human primary chondrocytes and mouse primary chondrocytes were
transfected with miR-146a-5p mimic or inhibitor, and/or NUMB or empty
vector, si-NUMB or negative control siRNAs, and then stimulated with
IL-1β. (A) The histogram showed the cell apoptosis rate of
the chondrocytes. (B) The mRNA levels of cleaved caspase 3,
cleaved PRAP, Bax, and Bcl2 measured with qRT-PCR. (C) The
protein levels of LC3, Beclin1, ATG5, and p62 measured with Western
blotting. (D, E) The histogram showed the
relative levels of Beclin1, ATG5, and p62 and the ratio of LC3-II to
LC3-I.