Fig. 4

NOD2 overexpression hampers the pro-inflammatory paracrine effect of macrophages on FLS and chondrocytes. A, B Dampened activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathway and TNF-α production in FLS by oe-NOD2. C FLS develops polarized formation of lamellipodia stained positive for p-FAK, while lacking in the oe-NOD2 group. D, E Reduced migration of FLS in the oe-NOD2 group. F, G Attenuated invasion of FLS in the oe-NOD2 group. H, I Elevated anabolic factors and decreased catabolic factors in the oe-NOD2 group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001. Data were presented as mean ± s.e.m. values. n = 3 biologically independent replicates for in vitro experiments. Student’s t test or one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s test for PCR, wound closure, as well as transwell assays