Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a simple and effective method to quantify RNA molecules. This technique has become an essential tool to determine gene expression profiles in target cells and tissues. Although RT-qPCR is highly sensitive and specific, it requires appropriate selection of optimal reference genes for normalization to assure accurate and reliable results. In our recent study, we assessed expression stability of the candidate reference genes for normalization in the synovium of knee osteoarthritis and evaluated the impacts of the reference gene choice on gene expression profiles. In the present manuscript, we will introduce our recent article, explain the way to select suitable reference genes for normalization of RT-qPCR data, and review the suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR analyses in orthopaedic research.
