Figure 2: Expression of osteoarthritis markers in primary A2AR-KO and WT chondrocytes.

(a) Primary chondrocytes were isolated from neonatal WT and A2AR-KO mice. RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed and analysed by real time PCR. Shown are expression levels normalized to GAPDH for Mmp13 and Col10a1 levels when compared to levels in WT cells. (b) Representative western blots are shown for MMP-13 and collagen X, and quantification of protein bands in the bar graphs below (n=4). (c) Staining of cell layers shows increases in MMP-13 and collagen X in the A2AR KO chondrocytes compared to the WT. (n=4; data are represented as means±s.e.m.). *P<0.05; **P<0.01 versus WT; Student’s T-test.