Fig. 2

Circ_0043947 silencing protects chondrocytes against IL-1β-induced injury. A The transfection efficiencies of circ_0043947-si#1 and circ_0043947-si#2 in chondrocytes were determined by RT-qPCR. B-L Chondrocytes were transfected with si-NC or circ_0043947-si#1 followed by IL-1β (10 ng/mL) exposure for 24 h. B Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. C and D EdU assay was applied to analyze cell proliferation ability. E Cell cycle progression was assessed by flow cytometry. F Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell apoptosis. G and H The expression of proliferation-associated proteins (PCNA and Cyclin D1) and apoptosis-associated protein (c-caspase 3) was determined by Western blot assay. I The levels of matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP3 and MMP13) and Collagen II were measured by Western blot assay. J-L The levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) in culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001