FIG. 7.

The expression of chondrocyte-related genes in MSCs on rFN/Cad-11 modified surface and control surfaces. The cells on rFN/Cad-11 modified surface expressed markedly higher levels of Col2a1, Sox9, AGC, and COMP. The hypertrophic marker genes, ColX and VEGF, showed no significant change, while the expression of Runx2 was increased (A). Alcian blue staining showed that, compared with the control group, the rFN/Cad-11 protein significantly promoted cells to secrete GAGs (B). (*p<0.05 with respect to Col II sponge control. ^#p<0.05 with respect to Col II/FN control. Note that the gene expression levels were normalized with respect to their own controls). Bar: 100 μm. VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea