FIG. 4.

Histological analysis of in vitro NP formation on NF and SW scaffolds. Constructs were cultured in vitro for 3 weeks. Cross sections were stained by safranin-O or immunohistochemical methods. Compared with SW scaffolds, NF scaffolds showed a stronger and more even staining by safranin-O method (A, B). Higher magnification view showed increased cellular organization on the NF scaffolds when compared with SW scaffolds (C, D). Immunohistochemical staining also revealed that the NF scaffold group was stained stronger for type II collagen (E, F), but weaker for type I collagen than the SW scaffold group (G, H). Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea