Fig. 2

SSD relieves inflammation and mediates autophagy in OA mice via augmenting miR-199-3p. A ELISA measured content of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the cartilage tissues of OA mice were increased. SSD treatment reduced the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6, and downregulation of miR-199-3p weakened the effect of SSD; B–C Western blot measured autophagy-associated protein Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio. Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio in OA mice cartilage decreased; while, SSD treatment increased Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, and downregulation of miR-199-3p weakened the effect of SSD; D RT-qPCR detected autophagy-related genes (ATG1 and PI3K). ATG1 expression decreased and PI3K expression increased in OA mouse cartilage; while, SSD treatment increased ATG1 expression and decreased PI3K expression, and downregulation of miR-199-3p weakened the effect of SSD; E–F Immunohistochemical detected LC3-II protein showed that the positive expression of LC3-II decreased in the cartilage tissue of OA mice; while, SSD treatment increased the positive expression of LC3-II, arrow indicating positive expression of LC3-II. Downregulation of miR-199-3p weakened the effect of SSD. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01. n = 10