miR-3960 from Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Inactivates SDC1/Wnt/β-Catenin Axis to Relieve Chondrocyte Injury in Osteoarthritis by Targeting PHLDA2

Figure 8

MSCs-EVs-encapsulated miR-3960 relieves chondrocyte inflammation and ECM degradation in OA mice. OA mouse models were established and injected with MSCs-EVs-miR-3960 agomir (). (a) miR-3960 expression and mRNA levels of PHLDA2, SDC1, and β-catenin in chondrocytes of OA mice determined by RT-qPCR. (b) Protein levels of PHLDA2, SDC1, and β-catenin in chondrocytes of OA mice determined by immunoblotting. (c) Apoptosis of chondrocytes in OA mice detected by TUNEL assay (200 ×). (d) Articular cartilage injury of OA mice assessed by HE staining (). (e) aggrecan content of cartilage tissues in OA mice detected by alcian blue staining (). (f) ECM degradation of cartilage tissues in OA mice assessed by Safranin O-Fast Green staining () and OARSI score. (g) Protein levels of collagen II, aggrecan, MMP13, and ADAMTS5 in chondrocytes of OA mice measured by immunohistochemistry. (h) Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum of OA mice measured by ELISA. (i) PWT and PWL of mice. vs. sham-operated mice, # vs. OA mice injected with MSCs-EVs-agomir-NC. Data are shown as the of three technical replicates. Data between two groups were compared by independent -test. Data comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by the one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test.