Journal: Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)

Article Title: Targeting EFEMP1 enhances chondrogenesis and inhibits hypertrophic differentiation in a spontaneous osteoarthritis mouse model

doi: 10.1007/s00109-026-02656-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effect of EFEMP1 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on chondrocyte phenotype. A The human chondrocyte cell line C20A4 was transfected with either EFEMP1 siRNA (siEFEMP1) or scrambled siRNA (siCtrl). EFEMP1 and MMP-13 protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. B Chondrocyte-related gene expression, including SOX9, aggrecan (ACAN), MMP13, type X collagen (COL10A1), and type II collagen (COL2A1), was assessed by quantitative PCR in siEFEMP1- and siCtrl-treated C20A4 cells. C Phosphokinase protein arrays were used to profile phosphorylation changes in intracellular proteins extracted from C20A4 chondrocytes. D Spot intensities exhibiting changes greater than ± 25% between groups were quantified using ImageJ software. Red lines indicate baseline levels from the siCtrl group. E Phosphorylation of p70S6K at threonine 421/serine 424 (T421/T424) was further examined by Western blot analysis. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Statistical significance was determined using an independent-samples t-test. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, and *** P < 0.001

Article Snippet: Samples were incubated overnight at 4 °C with primary antibodies against EFEMP1 (1:100, NBP1-77040; NOVUS, USA), SOX9 (1:50, sc-166505; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA), MMP-13 (1:100, GTX100665; GeneTex, USA), aggrecan fragments (1:100, AF1220; R&D Systems, USA), COL2A1 (1:100, ab34712; Abcam, UK), and COL10A1 (1:100, GTX37732; GeneTex, USA).

Techniques: Knockdown, Small Interfering RNA, Transfection, Expressing, Western Blot, Gene Expression, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Phospho-proteomics, Software

Journal: Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)

Article Title: Targeting EFEMP1 enhances chondrogenesis and inhibits hypertrophic differentiation in a spontaneous osteoarthritis mouse model

doi: 10.1007/s00109-026-02656-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Immunofluorescence analysis of cartilage markers following EFEMP1 antibody treatment in STR/ort mice. A Representative immunofluorescence (IF) staining for EFEMP1, SOX9, MMP13, aggrecan fragments, COL2A1, and COL10A1 in the medial femoral condyle (MF) and medial tibial plateau (MT). Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue), and articular cartilage regions are outlined by orange dashed lines. B Quantification of fluorescence intensity in articular cartilage regions of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau, with medial and lateral compartments combined. EFEMP1 and SOX9 signals were normalized to DAPI, whereas MMP13, aggrecan fragments, COL10A1, and COL2A1 signals were quantified as absolute FITC intensity. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using an independent-samples t -test. P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and ** P < 0.001

Article Snippet: Samples were incubated overnight at 4 °C with primary antibodies against EFEMP1 (1:100, NBP1-77040; NOVUS, USA), SOX9 (1:50, sc-166505; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA), MMP-13 (1:100, GTX100665; GeneTex, USA), aggrecan fragments (1:100, AF1220; R&D Systems, USA), COL2A1 (1:100, ab34712; Abcam, UK), and COL10A1 (1:100, GTX37732; GeneTex, USA).

Techniques: Immunofluorescence, Staining, Fluorescence