Fig. 4

MiR-145 inhibitor or HGF overexpression reversed the effect of circPRKCH knockdown on cell apoptosis and ECM degradation. Chondrocytes were transfected with sh-circPRKCH, miR-145 inhibitor, HGF overexpressing vector, and negative controls and treated with IL-1β. A, B RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect HGF level in chondrocytes. C, D Flow cytometry was used to analyze chondrocyte apoptosis. E, F Western blotting was used to determine MMP-3, MMP-13, Aggrecan, and Collagen II levels. Data are the means ± SD for three independent experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001