Fig. 1

WTAP was elevated in OA and contributed to increased m6A levels. A Heat map showed that the mRNA expression of m6A modification-related genes in human OA cartilage tissue and human normal cartilage tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. B The mRNA expression of WTAP in mice OA cartilage tissue and mice normal cartilage tissue (N = 6) was detected by qRT-PCR. C The WTAP expression were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, and the results indicated that WTAP significantly increased in LPS-induced OA chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. D Total m6A levels were measured by m6A RNA methylation assay kit, and the results indicated that total m6A levels was increased in LPS-induced OA chondrocyte in a dose-dependent manner. E RT-qPCR and western blotting were applied to confirm the inhibition of WTAP in LPS-induced OA chondrocyte. F WTAP knockdown significantly suppressed LPS-induced total m6A levels in chondrocyte. OA, osteoarthritis; Sham, mice without destabilizing the medial meniscus (DMM); model, DMM surgery-induced OA mice; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; shWTAP, WTAP knockdown adenovirus; shNC, negative control corresponding to shWTAP. N = 3 ~ 6. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, and.^***P < 0.001