Figure 8.

Cells in 3% agarose develop greater chromatin condensation compared to those in 1% agarose. (a) Confocal section images of chondrocytes in 1% and 3% agarose gel showing the nuclei labeled with Hoescht and the higher level of chromatin condensation in the 3% gel after 24 h in culture. Scale bars, 5 μm. (b) Corresponding images that have been digitally filtered to reveal the density of edges, from which the chromatin condensation parameter was calculated (see text for details). (c) Chromatin condensation decreased with time in culture, but by 24 h the levels were significantly greater for cells in 3% agarose (^∗∗∗p < 0.001). Values are represented as the mean ± SE (n = 60).