Differentiation of bmMPCs into chondrocytes.

<p>bmMPCs, pretreated with 5 mmol/L (control glucose) or 25 mmol/L (high glucose; HG) glucose for 7 days, were cultured in differentiation media and assessed for induction of chondrogenesis transcription factors (A). HG-treated bmMPCs increased expression of Sox9 (B) and Nkx3.2 (C) upon culturing in differentiation media. At this point, cells cultured in control glucose levels showed repressed levels of both Sox9 and Nkx3.2. [*p<0.05 compared to control media; †p<0.05 compared to cells treated with control glucose + differentiation media]. (D) Runx2 mRNA levels were induced after 14-day differentiation of bmMPCs. Cells treated with HG showed significantly reduced Runx2 expression [*p<0.05 compared to control media; †p<0.05 compared to cells treated with control glucose + differentiation media].