Fig. 3.

PEMF affected RNA expression and matrix formation of rBMSCs during chondrogenic differentiation in hydrogels in vitro. a. qPCR analysis results showed that compared to control group, PEMF significantly upregulated the expressions of chondrogenic mRNA, and downregulated the expressions of hypertrophic mRNA. Staining of Safranin O (b) and immunohistochemistry of Col II (c, e) demonstrated that after PEMF treatment, significantly larger amounts of aggrecan and Col II were deposited in hydrogels. Immunohistochemistry of Col X and MMP13 (d, e) demonstrated that PEMF treatment could significantly inhibit the formation of hypertrophic proteins, revealing its chondro-protective potential. Scale bar: 50 μm *p < 0.05 **p < 0.01.