Expression level of cartilage maturation stage specific marker genes in the normal chondrocyte.

Genes were classified according to their role in particular stages of cartilage maturation. Their Log₂ intensity expression values are shown on the right, with high expression values (red), mid values (orange) and low values (blue). Expression values below 4 are considered as background (white). Most expressed genes belong to the proliferative group, suggesting that primary chondrocytes were mainly in a proliferative state.