Changes in Morphology, Gene Expression and Protein Content in Chondrocytes Cultured on a Random Positioning Machine
Figure 6
Immunofluorescence of TGF-ß1, ITGB1, OPN, and TGFB1 gene expression and protein level of chondrocytes cultured at 1 g or on the RPM.
A: The ITGB1 gene expression and B: the integrin-ß1 protein level remained the same in both conditions. C: The OPN mRNA was significantly up-regulated after 24 h on the RPM, whereas the osteopontin protein content was only slightly elevated after 24 h on the RPM (D). E: Immunofluorescence of TGF-ß1 of chondrocytes cultured at 1 g or on the RPM. After 4 h culturing on the RPM holes were visible in the cytoskeleton (orange arrows). F: TGFB1 gene expression: The TGFB1 mRNA was up-regulated after 30 min, 4 h, and 24 h RPM exposure. G, H: Western blot analyses of TGF-ß1 protein. The 45-kDa protein was significantly elevated after 24 h RPM exposure (G). Data are given as mean ± standard deviation; #P<0.05; *P<0.005.