Fig. 6

Knockdown of circPRKCH alleviated ECM degradation in an OA mouse model by regulating the miR-145/HGF axis. An OA mouse model was established by injecting sodium iodoacetate into the joint cavity of mice. Four groups were divided: Control, OA, OA+sh-NC, and OA+sh-circPRKCH. A HE and Safranin O-Fast Green staining were used to evaluate the osteoarthritis pathological changes and cartilage destruction. B–D RT-qPCR was used to detect circPRKCH, miR-145, and HGF levels. E, F Western blotting was used to measure HGF, p-c-MET, c-MET, MMP-3, MMP-13, Aggrecan, and Collagen II levels in mouse cartilage tissues. Data are the means ± SD for three independent experiments. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001