Quercetin attenuates chondrogenic transformation and β-catenin activation in primary VSMCs.

<p><b>A</b>, Quercetin reduces deposition of GAG-positive matrix in VSMCs induced to undergo chondrogensis in high-density micromass culture in chondrogenic medium (ChoM). Quantitation of GAG deposition (<i>left graph</i>) and cell death, detected by LDH release into the culture medium (<i>right graph</i>), in the presence or absence of 50 µmol/L quercetin. N=4. <b>B</b>-<b>C</b>, Real-time PCR analysis of markers of chondrogenesis (<b>B</b>) and β-catenin target genes (<b>C</b>) in VSMC micromass cultures treated with ChoM and quercetin as indicated. N=4. <b>D</b>, Quantitation of GAG deposition by VSMC micromass cultures treated with ChoM in the presence or absence of 0.5 µg/mL Dkk1. N=4.