Inhibition of the Ca2+/CaMKII pathway rescued the loss of COL2A1 and SOX9 mRNA expression in AHACs. (A) Blockade of CaMKII with KN93 did not alter the basal levels of Aggrecan, COL2A1, and SOX9. Primary AHACs were treated for 24 h with 10 µM KN93 or its inactive analogue KN92. (B–E) CaMKII blockade rescues WNT-3A–induced down-regulation of COL2A1 and SOX9 mRNA. Primary AHACs were cultured for 24 h in the presence of WNT-3A or vehicle control, and either the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 or the inactive control KN92. Gene expression was evaluated by Q-PCR. The values were normalized for β-actin and expressed as a percentage of the KN92-treated group (100% is indicated by the broken line in the graphs; n = 6). Statistical analysis was performed with an unpaired t test. Error bars indicate mean ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.005.
