Fig. 6

Gene expression related to extracellular matrix production, destruction/remodeling and joint inflammation in cartilage and synovium. Results are shown as Mean ± SEM of the relative mRNA expression. a Gene expression in cartilage compared between all the three groups (A.1) at two months end-point (phase 2 lesion; control, n = 4 radio-carpal [RC]-joints; MSC-naïve, n = 7 RC-joints; MSC-primed, n = 7 RC-joints) and (A.2) at six months end-point (phase 1 lesion; control, n = 4 RC-joints; MSC-naïve, n = 7 RC-joints; MSC-primed, n = 7 RC-joints). b Gene expression in cartilage compared between two and six months (B.1) for MSC-naïve group (n = 7 animals; n = 7 RC-joints for two months and n = 7 RC-joints for six months) and (B.2) for MSC-primed group (n = 7 animals; n = 7 RC-joints for two months and n = 7 RC-joints for six months). c Gene expression in synovium compared between all the three groups (C.1) at two months end-point (phase 2 lesion; control, n = 4 RC-joints; MSC-naïve, n = 7 RC-joints; MSC-primed, n = 7 RC-joints) and (C.2) at six months end-point (phase 1 lesion; control, n = 4 RC-joints; MSC-naïve, n = 7 RC-joints; MSC-primed, n = 7 RC-joints). d Gene expression in synovium compared between two and six months (D.1) for MSC-naïve group (n = 7 animals; n = 7 RC-joints for two months and n = 7 RC-joints for six months) and (D.2) for MSC-primed group (n = 7 animals; n = 7 RC-joints for two months and n = 7 RC-joints for six months). Note that the Y axe of some graphs has been divided into two or three segments for clearer representation of smaller bars. COL1A1, collagen type I; COL2A1, collagen type II; ACAN, aggrecan; COMP, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein; MMP-3, matrix metalloproteinase 3; MMP-13, matrix metalloproteinase 13; TIMP-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; COX-2, cyclooxygenase 2; TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha; IL-1β, interleukin 1 beta; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor beta 1 (* = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.01)