Inhibition of β-catenin signaling attenuates chondrogenic transformation of cultured VSMCs.

<p>Rat A10 VSMCs stably-expressing a β-catenin-responsive luciferase transgene were induced to undergo chondrogenesis in high-density micromass culture in chondrogenic medium (ChoM) containing TGF-β3. <b>A</b>, VSMCs form cartilaginous GAG-positive nodules as detected by Alcian blue stain, in ChoM (- Querc). In the presence of 50 µmol/L Quercetin (ChoM + Querc) both the number and size of the nodules is reduced. <b>B</b>-<b>E</b>, Expression of β-catenin-dependent luciferase reporter (<b>B</b>,<b>D</b>) and deposition of GAG-rich matrix, quantified by extraction of Alcian blue stain normalized to cell number (<b>C</b>,<b>E</b>), in VSMCs cultured in ChoM in the presence or absence of quercetin (<b>B</b>,<b>C</b>) or the β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor Dkk1 (<b>D</b>,<b>E</b>). N=4.