Fig. 5

Gene expression of ACAN, COL2, and SOX9 and measurement of cartilage trophic factors TGFβ and IGF-1. a–c mRNA expression of ACAN (aggrecan), COL2 (type II collagen), and SOX9 was evaluated in the cells cultured both in the control or chondrogenic medium in the presence or absence of autologous micrografts after 4 weeks of culture. The results are expressed as dCt vs. GAPDH. d The levels of cartilage trophic factors TGFβ and IGF-1 were measured by ELISA in the autologous micrografts suspension. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs control medium (−) micrografts; ^##p < 0.01 vs control medium (+) micrografts