To explore the influence of the NF-κB inhibitor (bay11-7082) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced different ratios of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in chondrocytes.
Chondrocytes were isolated from the knee joint of a 1-day old mouse by trypsin digestion method. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) stain was used to show the morphology of isolated chondrocytes; Semi-quantitative PCR was applied to analyze the influence of bay11-7082 on gene expressions of TNF-α-induced 
TNF-α up-regulated gene expressiosn of the 
TNF-α-induced high ratios of MMPs/TIMPs could partiallyexplain over-degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix in osteoarthritis (OA). Blockage of NF-κB with bay11-7082 might provide a possible therapeutic strategy for the OA deterioration.