Fig. 2

Circ_SLC39A8 silence increased cell viability and suppressed apoptosis, inflammation, and ECM degradation in OA chondrocytes. a Knockdown efficiency of circ_SLC39A8 was determined by qRT-PCR in OA chondrocytes transfected with si-NC, si- circ_SLC39A8#1, si- circ_SLC39A8#2, and si- circ_SLC39A8#3. b–e OA chondrocytes were transfected with si-NC or circ_SLC39A8#1. b Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. c Cell apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry analysis. d Western blot assay was conducted to measure the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, C-caspase 3, caspase 9, and C-caspase 9. e The protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP3, and collagen type II were detected by western blot analysis. *P<0.05