FIG. 7.
Mechanical and biochemical properties of constructs from Study 2, where the growth medium was supplemented with nanoceria. (A) Equilibrium Young's modulus (EY), (B) dynamic modulus (G*) at 1 Hz, and (C) GAG normalized by wet weight. IL-1α was added from day 21 to 34 and its concentrations are shown on the figure (0, 0.5, and 10 ng/mL). Dotted lines represent the control and are guidelines for comparison (n=4–7 per group). Significant differences (p≤0.05) with respect to nanoceria concentration are noted by an asterisk (* vs. 0 μg/mL nanoceria). Differences with respect to IL-1α treatment are noted by # (vs. 0 ng/mL IL-1α). A statistically significant downregulation of mechanical properties and GAG content was observed due to 0.5 ng/mL IL-1α in control and experimental samples.