FIG. 4.

Identification of genes that are almost exclusively expressed in hNAC. Other neonatal knee tissues were included in the analysis with the objective of narrowing the set of genes that will be used to describe the criteria or gold standard for developing a tissue-engineered AC from hMSCs. (A) A total of 53 genes were selected that are highly expressed in hNAC compared to in vitro hMSC-derived 3D cartilage and other knee tissues. (B) From this list of genes, specific control elements (transcription factors) were selected that may be involved in the development of native AC and coded proteins that will be used as markers that define a molecular criterion or new gold standard. AC, articular cartilage. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea