Fig. 6

Targeted disruption of Mapk7 in chondrocytes inhibited vascular invasion into epiphyseal cartilage and delayed secondary ossification center (SOC) formation. a HE staining of proximal tibia and distal femur sections from P14 mice. Black dotted lines indicate the contour of the SOC. Scale bar, 200 μm. b Quantitative analysis of the areas of the tibial and femoral SOCs from P14 mice (n = 4). *P < 0.05 (Student’s t test). Data are presented as mean ± SD. c, d Safranin O staining of proximal tibia and distal femur sections from P7 mice. Boxed areas are magnified in the images at the bottom. Scale bar, 200 μm. e, f Immunofluorescence staining of (e) CD31 and (f) COL10A1 on representative sections of distal femurs from P7 mice. Boxed areas are magnified in the images at the bottom. Scale bar, 200 μm