FIG. 8.

Relative gene expression of aggrecan expressed by MSCs seeded on dPCL/ECM scaffolds. dPCL/ECM scaffolds cultured in serum-free conditions (a) without growth factor supplements (−) and (b) with TGF-β3 (+). Culture duration was 21 days for all groups. Numeric ratios represent the ratio of chondrocytes to MSCs used to generate the ECM coating the scaffold, while d7, d14, and d21 distinguish the three ECM maturities evaluated. Data were normalized to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression and presented as fold change in aggrecan expression. Fold ratios are presented as mean±standard deviation (n=4). Symbols describing statistical significance are defined in Table 3 (p<0.05).