hMSC gene expression in Scl2 hydrogels. (A) COL2A1, (B) ACAN, (C) SOX9, (D) COL1A1, and (E) COL10A1 gene expression of hMSCs encapsulated in hydrogels over 6 weeks in culture, as analyzed using the ΔΔCt method. Data presented as a fold difference relative to undifferentiated hMSCs (calibrator) prior to encapsulation and normalized to GAPDH (housekeeping gene). (F) COL2A1/COL1A1 gene expression ratio. Values represent means ± SD. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 (n = 3 for each donor; 3 different bone marrow–derived hMSC donors).