Application of fibrous networks as scaffolds for meniscal repair. (a) Schematic for implantation of meniscal tissue construct containing soft and stiff fibrous scaffolds. Scaffolds concentrically cut with biopsy punches were inserted into the transected area of meniscal tissue. After suturing, tissue constructs were subcutaneously implanted into athymic rats. (b) Representative images of fibrous scaffold (FITC, green), nuclei (white) and collagen types I and II (dark brown) after 4 weeks of implantation. Scale bar is 100 μm. Quantification of normalized (c) cell density, (d) collagen type I staining intensity, and (e) collagen type II staining intensity within fibrous scaffolds at 4 weeks. n = 6 tissue constructs. Unpaired t-tests. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001.