Figure 2. Photomicrographs from sections of in situ hybridization are indicated. Sections probed with Cathepsin K (A,B), MMP-9 (C,D), RANKL (E-H), IL-1β (I-L), TNF- (M-P), and osteopontin (Q-T). A, C, E, I, M, and Q: control specimens. B, D, F, J, N, and R: zero-week consolidation period group. G, K, O, and S: two-week consolidation group. H, L, P, and T: eight-week consolidation group. Black arrowheads indicate the positive signals. White arrowheads indicate the mononuclear cells positive for MMP-9. Arrows indicate the osteocytes in immature bone matrix. Original magnification: x20 (bar = 100 µm). All experiments were performed in triplicate (N = 3).