Figure 3. Effect of HA_oligos on cartilage matrix loss in the TMJ condyle. (A) TMJ articular cartilages were incubated in serum-free medium without or with HA_oligos for 4 days. Cryostat sections of articular cartilage were stained with Safranin-O/fast green. Magnified views (x4) of the surface layer are shown in the insets. Bars = 100 µm. (B) Caseinolytic activity in the conditioned medium from cartilage explants treated with (+) or without (–) HA_oligos for 2 or 4 days was assessed by casein zymography; clear bands represent enzymatic degradation of Coomassie-blue-stainable casein substrate. FZ, fibrous zone; CZ, cartilaginous zone.