Fig 1: Macrophage-derived EVs deliver MEF2C to suppress inflammation, oxidative stress, and degenerative phenotypes in CEPCs. (A) Schematic diagram illustrating the isolation of EVs from macrophages in the oe-NC and oe-MEF2C groups, followed by treatment of CEPCs; (B) WB and RT-qPCR analysis of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression in CEPCs; (C) MitoSOX staining to assess mitochondrial ROS fluorescence intensity in CEPCs, bar = 25 μm; (D) Quantification of intracellular GSH content and SOD activity in CEPCs; (E) ELISA analysis of osteogenesis inhibitors (SOST, DKK3), cartilage-protective factors (FGF-2, FGF-18, FGF-23, TGF-β1/2/3), and matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-13) in CEPCs; (F) Immunofluorescence staining of Col II and Col X in CEPCs, bar = 25 μm; (G) RT-qPCR analysis of Col II and Col X mRNA levels in CEPCs. All cell experiments were repeated independently three times. * Indicates comparison between two groups. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001