FIG. 2.

Long-term BM-MSC osteogenic differentiation in mineral-containing scaffolds verified the creation of a bone mimetic microenvironment. (A) After 60 days, HA-containing scaffolds continued to maintain their initial geometry, while PLG scaffolds continued to contract as confirmed by image analysis. (B) Heightened ALP enzyme activity with osteogenic induction was maintained in HA scaffolds. (C) Osteogenic differentiation resulted in greater Type I collagen deposition, as seen with Masson's Trichrome staining (collagen stains blue). The majority of matrix was deposited on scaffold surfaces; however, HA scaffolds also exhibited deposition within interior pores. Arrows indicate collagen deposition. Scale bars = 200 μm. Same letters (a, b, or c) indicate similar mean values, and groupings with different letters indicate that the difference is significant by post hoc comparison of means with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea