Following encapsulation in 5% and 10% hydrogels, AFs were treated with ERK-1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 (10 µmol/L), the p38 inhibitor SB203580 (10 µmol/L), or the JNK inhibitor SP600125 (10 µmol/L). After 3 days of culture, production of (A) MCP-1, (B) IL-6, (C) VEGF, and (D) MMP-2 by AFs encapsulated in 5% and 10% hydrogels was examined. * represents significance from DMSO-treated control gels (p<0.05 by ANOVA with Tukey HSD). N=3.