the expression of chondrogenic marker genes, RNA was isolated from
the retrieved cartilage tissue using an RNA isolation kit (Takara).
Isolated RNA was reverse transcribed to cDNA by a reverse transcription
master mix (iNtRON). RT-PCR and real-time PCR analyses were performed
to confirm the expression of chondrogenic marker genes. For RT-PCR
analysis, COL2 expression was evaluated by comparing it with the expression
of a housekeeping gene (GAPDH) using conventional agarose gel electrophoresis.
The primer sequences were as follows: GAPDH, 5′-TCACCATCTTCCAGGAGCGA-3′,
and 5′-CACAATGCCGAAGTGGTCGT-3′; COL2, 5′-CAATCCTGGTGAACCTGGCG-3′, and 5′-TTTCCCCAGACTTTCCGGGC-3′.
Moreover, mRNA expression was quantified using a SYBR Green PCR
kit in an ABI PRISM 7500 real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems).
Gene expression was determined by comparing it with the expression
of a housekeeping gene (β-actin). The primer sequences for real-time
PCR were as follows: β-actin, 5′-CCCTGAACCCTAAGGCCAAC-3′,
and 5′-GCATACAGGGACAGCACAGC-3′; COL2, 5′-CACACTGGTAAGTGGGGCAAGACCG-3′, and 5-GGATTGTGTTGTTTCAGGGTTCGGG-3′.