FIG. 2.

μRB scaffolds, but not HGs, led to accelerated increases in compressive moduli of MSC-based neocartilage formation after 21 days of culture in chondrogenic medium in vitro. (A) MSC-seeded μRBs or HG samples showed increased opacity over time, suggesting matrix deposition by MSCs in 3D. Acellular μRB scaffolds degraded and lost integrity over time while no significant change was observed in acellular HG controls. (B) Unconfined compressive testing revealed a 20-fold increase in compressive modulus in MSC-seeded μRBs, while only a three-fold increase was observed in MSC-seeded HGs. The moduli of acellular μRB scaffolds decreased significantly while the compressive modulus of acellular HGs remained the same. Scale bar: 2 mm. ns, nonsignificant (p > 0.05), **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001.