Fig. 4

Gene expression analysis in articular chondrocytes of wild-type and Tfap2e ^−/− mice. a The expression of collagen, type X, alpha 1 (Col10a1), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (Mmp13) and Mmp3 was analyzed in the articular cartilage layer of knee joints of wild-type (WT) and Tfap2e ^−/− mice (10.5 w) by quantitative RT-PCR. Mmp13, but not Col10a1 or Mmp3, was significantly overexpressed in Tfap2e ^−/− mice. b mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1), Timp2 and Timp3 was analyzed in the articular cartilage samples, but no differences in the expression rates of the three molecules could be detected when we compared WT and Tfap2e ^−/− animals. The data are given as the means ± standard error of the mean. ns, Not significant; Tfap2e ^−/−, Deficient for activating enhancer binding protein 2, epsilon. **P < 0.01. Nine WT mice and eight Tfap2e ^−/− mice were used for this experiment