Figure 6.

Effect of uniaxial tensile loading on tenogenic gene expression of ASCs encapsulated within 3D collagen scaffolds. Gene expression profiles of ASCs encapsulated within collagen scaffolds subjected to BMP-12 treatment or uniaxial loading at 0% (unloaded), 2%, 4%, and 6% strains at 0.1 Hz and 1 Hz loading frequencies. The graph depicts fold changes in various tenogenic markers: tenascin-C, scleraxis, and tenomodulin. ∗ indicates significant fold increase with respect to the 0% samples. ∗ indicates p < 0.05, ∗∗ denotes p < 0.01. ‡ is the statistical difference with respect to 6% group, both with a 95% confidence interval. # represents a significant difference between 0.1 Hz and 1 Hz groups at the same magnitude of strain with p < 0.05. § depicts significant difference with respect to unloaded samples chemically stimulated with BMP-12 with p < 0.05. Samples stimulated with 2% strain at both 0.1 Hz and 1 Hz show increased levels of all three tenogenic markers.