FIG. 3.

Biochemical properties of cell-laden GelMA and GelMA-GC hydrogels. Biochemical properties of cell-laden free-swelled and loaded GelMA (15%, w/v) and GelMA-GC (GelMA 15% and GC 1%, w/v) hydrogels cross-linked by Ru/SPS photo-initiators at 405 nm on day 1 and 28 of culture. Bovine articular chondrocytes were encapsulated (seeding density 8.3 × 10⁶ cells per mL of hydrogel) in GelMA and GelMA-GC hydrogels and cultured at 37 °C with 5% CO₂ for 28 days with media changes twice in a week. (a) Total GAG content and (b) total GAG content normalized to hydrogel wet weight. (c) DNA content normalized to hydrogel wet weight and (d) total GAG content normalized to DNA content. GAG secreted into the media on day 1 and 28 of culture (e) normalized to hydrogel wet weight and (f) DNA content. Groups that do not share a common Roman numeral are statistically different (p < 0.05). GelMA (15%, w/v) hydrogels were considered as control. Sample size n = 4 per group; error bars: Mean ± SD.