Figure 7
Loss of Runx2 in adult articular chondrocytes leads to decreased expression of genes encoding to matrix degradation enzymes. (a–h) Total RNA was extracted from articular chondrocytes isolated from 5-month-old Runx2 Agc1CreER KO mice (KO) or Cre-negative control mice (Cre−) followed by real-time PCR assay. All these mice were administrated with tamoxifen at the two-months of age and received DMM surgery at 12-week-old. Expression of Mmp9, Mmp13, Adamts4, Adamts5, Adamts7 and Adamts12 was significantly reduced in articular chondrocytes derived from Runx2 Agc1CreER KO mice (*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, unpaired Student’s t-test; n = 3 mice per group).
