Figure 8

mRNA expression of bovine collagen type II (α1 chain). Cartilage from monocultures (n = 5, with two replicates each) and co-cultures with SFB (n = 5, with two replicates each) with/without stimulation with TNF-α, IL-1β or TNF-α/IL-1β (14 days) were used. Gene expression values (means ± standard error of the mean), as determined by qPCR, are expressed as percent of the values in non-stimulated cartilage monocultures (100%). § p ≤ 0.05 Mann-Whitney U Test compared with non-stimulated control; * p ≤ 0.05 Mann-Whitney U Test compared with stimulation with TNF-α; + p ≤ 0.05 Mann-Whitney U Test compared with cartilage monoculture.