Figure 1.

(A) Construct thickness as measured with the confocal microscope software. T1, T1–1w, and T1–4w are statistically significant compared with C at both 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.05). Week 8 is statistically significant compared with week 4 in each condition (P < 0.05). Note that the longer the exposure to TGF-β1, the thicker the construct. (B) Optical thick sections of the constructs at 4 and 8 weeks confirm the trend in thickness that was observed with the confocal wholemounts (A). Please note that in all constructs, the cells stratified, produced their own matrix, were flat and elongated, and aligned and parallel with the porous membrane. Also, the cell density at the top and bottom of the construct appeared to be higher than in the middle. In T1 week 8, there appeared to be a change in matrix integrity in the area below the arrow. Bar, 50 μm.