Fig. 3

The rhythm disturbance and its consequences in subchondral bone in osteoarthritis condition. During osteoarthritis process, the core rhythmic gene, Bmal1, is disturbed in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which aggravates the abnormal bone forming with high level of angiogenesis in subchondral bone. Meanwhile, the core rhythmic gene, Clock, is disturbed in subchondral bone osteoblasts, which promotes the apoptosis of osteoblasts and inhibits bone remodeling. OA, osteoarthritis; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; Bmal1: brain and muscle arnt-like protein 1; Tgfb, transforming growth factor beta; Clock: circadian locomotor output cycles kaput; PDIA3, protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3