Fig 1: LncRNA- Dnm3os is required for maintaining the proliferative potential of chondrocytes. a RNA-FISH detection of lncRNA-Dnm3os in NIH3T3 cells using Quasar 570 labelled Stellaris oligonucleotide probe. b Flow chart of in vitro chondrogenic differentiation. c RT-qPCR detection of RNAs in primary articular chondrocytes at passages as noted. d, e RT-qPCR detection of proliferating chondrocyte marker, Col2a1, and osteoblast marker Col1a1, respectively; the latter cell descends from mesenchymal lineage. f RT-qPCR detection of RNA and g hypertrophic chondrocyte markers Col10a and Mmp13 following differentiation for 2 weeks. h–k IF staining of Col2a1, Sox9, Col10a1, and Mmp13 and l–o quantification thereof following differentiation for 2 weeks. Prior to induction of differentiation, the primary articular chondrocytes were transfected with scrambled shRNA (ctrl) or shDnm3os, both of which carried a GFP marker. p RT-qPCR detection of Dnm3os at the start and end of in vitro chondrogenic differentiation. Student T-test was used for statistical analysis. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001