Fig. 5

CDKN1B mediates the AC006064.4–201 / PTBP1 axis in HCs. A Representative images and fluorescence intensity of IF staining for CDKN1B in specific sections of human knee cartilages of different ages. ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001. Scale bars, 500 µm and 200 µm. B Protein levels of Mmp3, Mmp13, Sox9, Aggrecan, CDKN1B, p21 and p53 assessed by western blotting when CDKN1B was knocked down in HCs. C Representative images of IF staining for p16^INK4a and Col2a1 when CDKN1B was downregulated in HCs. Scale bar, 50 µm. D Representative images of β-galactosidase staining in HCs when CDKN1B was downregulated. E Quantification of SA-β-Gal staining and fluorescence intensity of IF staining of p16^INK4a and Col2a1 in the above two groups. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. F Protein levels of Mmp3, Mmp13, Sox9, Aggrecan, CDKN1B, p21 and p53 assessed by western blotting when AC006064.4–201 and CDKN1B were co-overexpressed in HCs. G Representative images of IF staining for p16^INK4a and Col2a1 when AC006064.4–201 and CDKN1B were co-overexpressed in HCs. Scale bar, 50 µm. H Representative images of β-galactosidase staining in HCs when AC006064.4–201 and CDKN1B were co-overexpressed. I Quantification of SA-β-Gal staining and fluorescence intensity of IF staining of p16.^INK4a and Col2a1 in the above two groups. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01