Figure 2

A. Chondrocytes from the ends of the sponge that experienced higher local strain had a statistically significant increase in type X collagen mRNA production in comparison to the corresponding region under no load conditions. (*: p < 0.05) n = 5. Type X collagen mRNA production was not significantly affected by loading in the center region of the sponge. B. Chondrocytes from both the clip end and the clamp end of the sponge had a statistically significant increase in type X collagen mRNA production in comparison to their corresponding regions under no load conditions. (*: p < 0.05) n = 5. Type X collagen mRNA expression levels in hypertrophic chondrocytes cultured in a sponge were subjected to 5% overall strain. ColX mRNA was quantified using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA levels were normalized to 18S RNA levels, which served as the internal control.