Fig. 4

Circ_0043947 silencing-mediated protective effects in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes are largely based on the up-regulation of miR-671-5p. A Silencing efficiency of anti-miR-671-5p in chondrocytes was determined by RT-qPCR. B-K Chondrocytes were transfected with circ_0043947-si#1 alone or together with anti-miR-671-5p prior to IL-1β treatment. B The expression of miR-671-5p was examined by RT-qPCR. C MTT assay was applied to analyze cell viability of chondrocytes. D Cell proliferation was analyzed by EdU assay.E and F Flow cytometry was applied to analyze cell cycle progression and cell apoptosis. G and H Western blot assay was implemented to measure the levels of PCNA, Cyclin D1, c-caspase 3, MMP3, MMP13 and Collagen II. I-K The production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α) in the culture supernatant was detected via ELISA. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001