Fig. 7
Relative quantitative gene expression in the five groups. Cells (3 × 104) were seeded in P60 dishes for the five groups. Relative quantitative gene expression of (a) collagen I, (b) collagen III, (c) aggrecan, (d) MMP-1, (e) MMP-3, and (f) ADAMTS-4 were analyzed at days 3, 7, 10, and 14 by semi-qPCR. Data represent mean ± standard deviation (n = 6). Each bar indicates the mean of three experiments in the same group. Statistically high expression of collagen I, collagen III, and aggrecan genes was observed in the TGF-β1 and two-step groups. Statistically lower expression of ECM genes were observed in the FGF-2 group at 7, 10, and 14 days. *Statistically significant upregulated gene expression. ADAMTS a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif, FGF fibroblast growth factor, GF growth factor, MMP matrix metalloproteinase, TGF transforming growth factor