Fig. 1

MAPK1 promotes the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of antler chondrocytes. A–D qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses showed high expression of MAPK1 and MAPK3 in antler cartilage tissue. Scale bar, 25 μm. E and F Antler chondrocytes were transfected with the pcDNA3.1-MAPK1 plasmid or MAPK1 siRNAs along with negative controls. qRT-PCR was performed to detect MAPK1 expression. G–I Western blots and immunofluorescence images showing increased ERK1/2 expression with OE-MAPK1 and decreased expression with si-MAPK1. Scale bar, 50 μm. J–O CCK-8 and EdU results showing that OE-MAPK1 promoted cell proliferation and si-MAPK1 inhibited it. Scale bar, 100 μm. P and Q A cell migration assay showed that OE-MAPK1 enhanced cell migration and si-MAPK1 inhibited it. Scale bar, 50 μm. R OE-MAPK1 increased ALP activity and si-MAPK1 decreased it. S OE-MAPK1 intensified ALP staining and si-MAPK1 attenuated it. T and U qRT-PCR showed that OE-MAPK1 upregulated the mRNA expression of MAPK3, RAF1, MEK1, RUNX2, and SOX9 and si-MAPK1 down-regulated it. V Western blots of RAF1, MEK1, RUNX2, and SOX9 protein expression in antler chondrocytes. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. N.S., no signification