Fig. 5

Gene expression of LPS-stimulated chondrocytes when co-cultured with MSCs, PDGF-MSCs, or HO-1-MSCs. a, b Pro-inflammatory factors after 24 and 72 h of incubation. c, d Chondrogenic marker expression. e, f Expression of hypertrophic (MMP-13), fibrotic (COL1α1), and pain-related (NGF) markers. Data are shown as fold change compared to chondrocytes alone. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 compared to the control. ^#P < 0.05 and ^##P < 0.01 compared to the LPS group. ^†P < 0.05 and ^††P < 0.01, a significant difference between the indicated groups