Figure 6.

Gross morphology and histological and immunohistochemical (collagen type II) analysis 3 months after treatment of a meniscal punch defect with a cell-free hyaluronan collagen composite matrix and a single injection of 1 μg BMP7 at the time of surgery (a, b, and c) or with an empty matrix (control) (d, e, and f). Images (g, h, and i) show the results after treatment with a hyaluronan collagen composite matrix seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and precultured in chondrogenic medium containing BMP7 for 14 days. Treatment with MSCs showed the best defect filling with differentiated repair tissue. Magnification bars: (a, d, and g): 10 mm; (b, c, e, f, h, and i): 1 mm.