Figure 8.

Cryopreservation of Af, AGf, and AUBMf embedded cells. Af, AGf, and AUBMf embedded redifferentiated chondrocytes were frozen, stored in liquid nitrogen, thawed, and assessed for cell morphology, viability, and chondrogenic properties. Optical images of microfibers show the rounded shape retention by the thawed embedded cells (particularly evident at higher magnification: see white arrows). Fluorescence merged images of the Calcein-AM (green)/propidium iodide (red) double staining demonstrated the high cell viability. The presence of GAGs and Col2A1 was detected by Alcian Blue staining and immunocytochemical analysis on the thawed embedded cells recovered from microfibers and grown in monolayer for 24 h. Bar corresponds to: 300 µm in lower magnification images of morphology and viability, 60 µm in higher magnification, and 50 µm in Alcian Blue staining and Col2A1 immunocytochemical analysis.