FIG. 8.

In vitro assessment of integration of hBMSC-laden mGL and agarose constructs into native cartilage. (A) Native bovine cartilage rings with 8-mm outer diameter and 4-mm inner diameter. (B) The inner gap in the cartilage explants was filled with hBMSC-laden mGL or agarose. (C) The composite constructs were cultured in chondrogenic medium for 6 weeks, and were then subjected to push-out mechanical testing. (D–G) Push-out test device. The composite constructs were placed in a custom-designed chamber (4), which held the cartilage in position, allowing push-out access to the inner-implanted component. The motor (1) controlled the movement of plunger (3), and the sensor (2) recorded the real-time force. (H) Typical stress–displacement curves of the agarose/hBMSC and mGL/hBMSC constructs from the push-out test. (I) Failure stress values for the different groups (*p<0.05, **p<0.01). Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea