Fig. 5

miR-218 inhibits chondrocyte maturation. C5.18 chondrocyte cells were transfected with either miR-218 mimics or miR-218 inhibitor. a After induction of chondrogenic differentiation for 28 days, expression of mature marker genes, including CMP, Col10a1, MMP-13 and VEGF, was measured by RT-PCR in miR-218-overexpressing C5.18 chondrocyte cells. Three independent experiments were performed in triplicate, and the data are presented as the means ± SDs. ** P < 0.01 vs. the control group. b miR-218 inhibitor was transfected into C5.18 chondrocyte cells, and CMP, COL10A1, MMP-13 and VEGF protein levels were measured by western blot analysis. ** P < 0.01 vs. the control group