Fig. 4

PDK4 suppresses apoptosis, inflammatory response, and ECM degradation in IL-1β-induced C28/I2 chondrocytes. A Western blot was used to detect the overexpression efficiency of PDK4. B OD values (450 nm) were measured by CCK-8 to assess the viability of chondrocytes in each group. C The rate of apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. D ELISA was employed to measure the levels of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-6. E The expression of proteins associated with ECM degradation, including MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4, was assessed using western blot analysis. ***P < 0.001 versus control group; ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001 versus IL-1β + ov-NC group