Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: lncRNA HOXC-AS3 is significantly downregulated in osteoarthritic tissues and IL-1β-treated human chondrocyte cell lines. A Cluster heatmap showing differentially expressed lncRNAs between normal and osteoarthritic cartilage; B qRT-PCR detection of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 expression levels in normal and OA patient cartilage tissues; C qRT-PCR detection of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 expression levels in chondrocytes following IL-1β treatment. D – F MTT assay and plate colony formation assay examining the effects of IL-1β treatment on chondrocyte viability and colony formation ability; (G&H) Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; (I&J) Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; (K&L) Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; (M&N) Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3–5 samples per group. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001, compared with control group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Knockdown of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 promotes chondrocyte senescence and degeneration while inhibiting proliferation. A qRT-PCR validation of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 knockdown efficiency; B MTT assay and (C&D) plate colony formation assay showing the effects of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 knockdown on chondrocyte viability and colony formation; (E&F) Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; (G&H) Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; (I&J) Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; (K&L) Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Knockdown, Quantitative RT-PCR, Biomarker Discovery, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot, Expressing, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Overexpression of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 reverses IL-1β-induced chondrocyte proliferation inhibition, senescence, and degeneration. A qRT-PCR validation of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 overexpression efficiency; B MTT assay and (C&D) plate colony formation assay showing the effects of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 overexpression on IL-1β-treated chondrocyte viability and colony formation; (E&F) Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; (G&H) Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; (I&J) Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; (K&L) Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001, compared with IL-1β + Empty vector group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Over Expression, Inhibition, Quantitative RT-PCR, Biomarker Discovery, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot, Expressing, Control, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 functions as a sponge by directly binding to miR-615-3p. A Nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 in chondrocytes determined by subcellular fractionation; B Venn diagram showing miRNAs predicted to bind to lncRNA HOXC-AS3 based on bioinformatics databases; C & D Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrating direct binding between lncRNA HOXC-AS3 and miR-615-3p; E qRT-PCR analysis of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 expression levels in chondrocytes after transfection with miR-615-3p mimics or inhibitor. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, compared with control group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Binding Assay, Fractionation, Luciferase, Reporter Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Transfection, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: lncRNA HOXC-AS3 reverses IL-1β-induced chondrocyte dysfunction by antagonizing miR-615-3p. A qRT-PCR validation of miR-615-3p overexpression efficiency; B MTT assay and (C&D) plate colony formation assay showing the effects on chondrocyte viability and colony formation after co-transfection with oe-HOXC-AS3 and miR-615-3p mimics; (E&F) Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; (G&H) Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; (I&J) Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; (K&L) Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001, compared with IL-1β + Empty vector + miR-615-3p mimics group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Quantitative RT-PCR, Biomarker Discovery, Over Expression, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Cotransfection, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot, Expressing, Control, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: Knockdown of miR-615-3p partially reverses HOXC-AS3 deficiency-induced chondrocyte dysfunction. A qRT-PCR validation of miR-615-3p knockdown efficiency; B MTT assay and C & D plate colony formation assay showing the effects on chondrocyte viability and colony formation after knockdown of HOXC-AS3 alone or simultaneous knockdown of HOXC-AS3 and miR-615-3p; E & F Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; (G&H) Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; (I&J) Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; (K&L) Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001, compared with si-HOXC-AS3 group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Knockdown, Quantitative RT-PCR, Biomarker Discovery, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot, Expressing, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: lncRNA HOXC-AS3 regulates chondrocyte function through interaction with endoplasmic reticulum protein RRBP1. A RNA pull-down coupled with mass spectrometry analysis identifying proteins specifically binding to HOXC-AS3; B RNA pull-down followed by Western blot confirming specific binding between HOXC-AS3 and RRBP1; C RIP assay demonstrating specific interaction between lncRNA HOXC-AS3 and RRBP1; D Western blot analysis of RRBP1 protein expression after lncRNA HOXC-AS3 knockdown and corresponding quantification; (E&F) qRT-PCR and Western blot validation of RRBP1 knockdown efficiency; G MTT assay and (H&I) plate colony formation assay showing the effects of RRBP1 knockdown on chondrocyte viability; J & K Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; L & M Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; N & O Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Mass Spectrometry, Binding Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Knockdown, Quantitative RT-PCR, Biomarker Discovery, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: lncRNA HOXC-AS3 regulates the expression of cell cycle key factor CIT through dual molecular mechanisms. A RNA-seq analysis after lncRNA HOXC-AS3 knockdown in chondrocytes showing gene expression profile and volcano plot; B Venn diagram showing the intersection of downregulated genes from RNA-seq and predicted miR-615-3p targets; C Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes after HOXC-AS3 knockdown; D & E Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrating direct binding between miR-615-3p and CIT mRNA; F qRT-PCR analysis of CIT mRNA expression in chondrocytes after transfection with miR-615-3p mimics or inhibitor; G qRT-PCR analysis of CIT mRNA expression in the chondrocyte degeneration model; (H&I) qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis of CIT expression after lncRNA HOXC-AS3 knockdown; J & K qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis of CIT expression after RRBP1 knockdown; L RIP assay demonstrating binding between RRBP1 and CIT mRNA; M mRNA stability assay using actinomycin D showing CIT mRNA half-life after knockdown of lncRNA HOXC-AS3 or RRBP1 in chondrocytes. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Expressing, RNA Sequencing, Knockdown, Gene Expression, Luciferase, Reporter Assay, Binding Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Transfection, Western Blot, Stability Assay, Control

Journal: Cell & Bioscience

Article Title: LncRNA HOXC-AS3 prevents chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis progression through miR-615-3p sponging and RRBP1 interaction

doi: 10.1186/s13578-026-01541-y

Figure Lengend Snippet: lncRNA HOXC-AS3 alleviates chondrocyte degeneration by maintaining CIT expression levels. A & B qRT-PCR and Western blot validation of CIT knockdown efficiency; C MTT assay and D & E plate colony formation assay showing the effects on chondrocyte viability and colony formation after transfection with si-CIT alone or co-transfection with si-CIT and oe-HOXC-AS3; F & G Representative EdU immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of EdU-positive cell percentage; H & I Representative SA-β-gal staining images and quantification of SA-β-gal-positive cell percentage; J & K Representative p16 immunofluorescence staining images and quantification of p16-positive cell percentage; L & M Western blot analysis of p21, p53, ACAN, Col II, MMP3, and MMP13 protein expression levels and corresponding quantification. Values represent mean ± SEM of 3 samples per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, compared with control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001, compared with IL-1β + si-CIT group

Article Snippet: Primary human chondrocytes isolated from cartilage tissues were cultured in chondrocyte growth medium (PromoCell, C-27101) supplemented with 10% FBS and used at passage 3 or lower to preserve chondrocyte phenotype [ ].

Techniques: Expressing, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Biomarker Discovery, Knockdown, MTT Assay, Colony Assay, Transfection, Cotransfection, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Control

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Effects and mechanisms of synovial mesenchymal stem cell–derived extracellular vesicular LncRNA-SNHG14 on chondrocyte injury

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101122

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effects of LncRNA-SNHG14 silencing on chondrocyte apoptosis . A: Apoptotic rate of chondrocytes. Representative dot plots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). B: Protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, and Cyt c . Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). Molecular weight markers: Bax ∼21 kDa, caspase-3 ∼35 kDa (pro-form) and ∼17 kDa (cleaved form), Cyt c ∼15 kDa, GAPDH ∼37 kDa.

Article Snippet: Primary rat chondrocytes (Catalog No. CP-R087, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) and synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSC, Catalog No. CP-R304, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) were purchased from Wuhan Procell Life Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

Techniques: Expressing, Molecular Weight

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Effects and mechanisms of synovial mesenchymal stem cell–derived extracellular vesicular LncRNA-SNHG14 on chondrocyte injury

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101122

Figure Lengend Snippet: Expression of proteins associated with chondrocyte proliferation and regeneration. Western blot analysis of SOX9, MMP-13, COL2A1, and bFGF protein expression. Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). Molecular weight markers: SOX9 ∼65 kDa, MMP-13 ∼60 kDa (latent form) and ∼48 kDa (active form), COL2A1 ∼140 kDa, bFGF ∼17.5 kDa, GAPDH ∼37 kDa.

Article Snippet: Primary rat chondrocytes (Catalog No. CP-R087, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) and synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSC, Catalog No. CP-R304, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) were purchased from Wuhan Procell Life Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

Techniques: Expressing, Western Blot, Molecular Weight

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Effects and mechanisms of synovial mesenchymal stem cell–derived extracellular vesicular LncRNA-SNHG14 on chondrocyte injury

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101122

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effects of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation on chondrocyte apoptosis . A: Apoptotic rate of chondrocytes. Representative dot plots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). B: Protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3, and Cyt c . Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). Molecular weight markers: Bax ∼21 kDa, caspase-3 ∼35 kDa (pro-form) and ∼17 kDa (cleaved form), Cyt c ∼15 kDa, GAPDH ∼37 kDa.

Article Snippet: Primary rat chondrocytes (Catalog No. CP-R087, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) and synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSC, Catalog No. CP-R304, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) were purchased from Wuhan Procell Life Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Expressing, Molecular Weight

Journal: Regenerative Therapy

Article Title: Effects and mechanisms of synovial mesenchymal stem cell–derived extracellular vesicular LncRNA-SNHG14 on chondrocyte injury

doi: 10.1016/j.reth.2026.101122

Figure Lengend Snippet: Expression of proteins associated with chondrocyte proliferation and regeneration. Representative blots from three independent experiments are shown (n = 3). Molecular weight markers: SOX9 ∼65 kDa, MMP-13 ∼60 kDa (latent form) and ∼48 kDa (active form), COL2A1 ∼140 kDa, bFGF ∼17.5 kDa, GAPDH ∼37 kDa.

Article Snippet: Primary rat chondrocytes (Catalog No. CP-R087, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) and synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSC, Catalog No. CP-R304, 5 × 10 5 Cells/T25) were purchased from Wuhan Procell Life Science & Technology Co., Ltd.

Techniques: Expressing, Molecular Weight