Fig. 3.

AFM surface scan of freshly isolated immature and mature, and, serum-free (ITS) and growth factor-treated (ITS-FGF2-TGFβ1) cultured articular cartilages. Roughness analysis (seeTable 2) revealed that mature cartilages and samples treated with growth factors were smoother than immature cartilages or control samples. In addition, we also note that in surface scans, mature and growth factor-treated (ITS-FGF2-TGFβ1) cartilage appeared more fibrous and exhibit a less dimpled appearance than immature or cultured immature (ITS) cartilages.