FIG. 2.

Mechanical properties of explanted constructs. (A) Modulus of AU (black) and AR (white) chondrocyte–seeded constructs compared to HA hydrogel alone (shaded). Representative stress relaxation curves for AU chondrocyte–seeded (B) and AR chondrocyte–seeded (C) explants after 12 weeks of in vivo culture compared to HA hydrogel alone (D) and to native AU (E) and AR (F) cartilages. Stress relaxation curves are normalized to peak stress. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between AU and AR groups are denoted by asterisks (*).