Fig. 3

Mitochondrial transfer promotes collagen fibril formation and inhibits collagen fibril degradation. RT-qPCR was conducted to detect tenocyte-lineage marker levels (A, Tnmd; B, Col1α1; C, Col3α1) (n = 3). Protein expression of Tnmd (D), MMP-1 (E, degrade collagen fibrils), Col I (F), and Col III (F) was determined by western blot (n = 3). G-I Densitometric analysis of the western blot shown in Fig. 4D–F. J Histogram represents the Col I/Col III ratio. Data represent mean ± SD. Statistical significance of the differences among groups was determined by ANOVA (Bonferroni method). ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001