Fig. 3

Increased formation of exosomes in the TMJ OA cartilage of UAC rats. A The number of CD63-positive chondrocytes and the mRNA expression of CD63 were increased in the condylar cartilage of UAC rats (n = 6). Scale bar = 100 μm. All data are presented as means ± SD. The data of compared groups were from the populations of Gaussian distribution and consistent with homogeneity of variance. Comparisons between the control and UAC groups of the same timepoint were performed by Student’s t test. **P < 0.01, compared with the age-matched control group. B TEM observation of the condylar cartilage in age-matched control and UAC rats. The white arrows in 1–6 pointed out the calcification margin around chondrocytes. One to 3 showed the calcification in the control group and 4–6 showed the calcification in the UAC group while 7–9 showed the increased exosome-like structures in the calcified matrix. Scale bar, 1–6 = 5 μm; 7–9 = 100 nm. Control, control group; UAC, unilateral anterior crossbite group; 4w, 4 weeks; 8w, 8 weeks; 12w, 12 weeks