Figure 6.

Evaluation of the gene expression of bone‐, tendon‐ and interface‐related markers in single cultures and direct co‐cultures up to 14 days in culture. Gene expression of (A) alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), (B) runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), (C) bone sialoprotein 1/ osteopontin (SPP1), (D) scleraxis (SCX), (E) homeobox mohawk (MKX), (F) tenascin C (TNC), (G) aggrecan (ACAN), (H) cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), (I) collagen type I (COL1A1) and (J) collagen type III (COL3A1) was analysed by RT‐PCR. Target genes were normalized against GAPDH housekeeping gene. The gene expression in all conditions was normalized to basal condition (100 BM: 0 OM) of the correspondent day. Results are presented as mean ± SEM and statistically significant differences are shown as *, P < .05; **, P < .009; ***, P < .0007; ****, P < .0001; δ statistically significant differences in comparison to the basal condition of the correspondent day; # statistically significant differences in comparison with hTDCs in the same condition; σ statistically significant differences in comparison pre‐OBs and hTDCs in the same conditions