Figure 5 SNHG15 overexpression inhibited ECM degradation and promoted chondrocyte formation in an experimental OA model. (A) The morphology changes of cartilage tissues in the experimental OA model injected by SMHG15 overexpression using Safranin-O and fast green staining. (B, C) Cartilage destruction was assessed according to the OARSI and Mankin scores. (D) Representative images of immunohistochemistry of COL2A1 and Aggrecan in cartilage tissues of the experimental OA model injected by SMHG15 overexpression. Scale bar: 50 μm. Magnification: 200×. (E) Quantitative results of immunohistochemistry for COL2A1 and Aggrecan. (F) COL2A1 and Aggrecan expression in cartilage tissues of experimental OA model injected by SMHG15 overexpression using qRT-PCR. (G, H) MMP3 and ADAMTS5 expression in cartilage tissues of experimental OA model injected by SMHG15 overexpression using western blot. * p<0.05; ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001; **** p<0.0001.