Figure 1.

Experimental overview. hASCs were expanded in monolayer in vitro and then collected for cell pellet formation via centrifugation or alginate bead formation. Samples were cultured in chondrogenic induction medium for 4 weeks, encapsulated in agarose carriers and maintained overnight in chondrogenic medium prior to subcutaneous implantation in the cervical region of immune-compromised mice. After 8 weeks in vivo, samples were removed, scanned by μCT and processed for histological evaluation.