Fig. 4

MiR-4303 targets ASPN. A Bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the potential targets of miR-4303 downstream. Chondrocytes were treated with 10 μL LPS (100 ng/mL), untreated chondrocytes served as the negative control; RT-qPCR was performed to assess the mRNA levels of downstream effectors of miR-4303, including PDIA3, ASPN, PIK3CA and TRAF3. B The potential binding site between miR-4303 and ASPN. C The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to confirm the direct binding relationship between miR-4303 and ASPN. MiR-4303 mimics were transfected into chondrocytes for miR-4303 overexpression, NC mimics served as the negative control for miR-4303 mimics. D, E RT-qPCR and western blot analyses were conducted to assess the levels of ASPN in chondrocytes following miR-4303 Inhibition. F The levels of ASPN in arthritic tissues, the corresponding normal tissues served as the negative control. Student's t test or one-way ANOVA was used to compare two groups, and Tukey post-test was used to compare multiple groups. *P < 0.05, P < 0.01 versus control group. Error bars represented SD. Data represented three independent experiments