Figure 9.

Panel A shows representative images from each group. There is distinct clustering of hMSCs on modified hydrogels following bioreactor culture. All images with clustering were analyzed (n = 9 for amine and FN modified bioreactor groups). Results of image analysis (panel B) showed that, after the initial static culture, FN modified hydrogels exhibited a significantly higher cell number (*, p < 0.05), while no differences were detected between unmodified and amine modified groups. After culture within the TPS bioreactor, hMSCs cluster on modified hydrogels and retain a significantly higher cell number (*, p < 0.05), with no differences between amine and FN modified groups. These results indicate that surface modified hydrogels can be used in conjunction with shear flow as a dynamic drug evaluation model, but that heterogeneity in surface modification results in cell adhesion and proliferation around points of modification.