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. 2021 Oct 22;9:766087. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.766087

FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 3

(A) The level of expression of AF-specific genes (collagen-1A1(COL1A1), collagen-5A1(COL5A1), fibulin-1 (FBLN1), integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), and tenomodulin (TNMD)) was significantly higher in the DAF-G and g-DAF-G groups than Col I group on Day 21, which indicated the potential induction of directing specific differentiation of hBMSCs towards AF cells on DAF-G and g-DAF-G hydrogels. (B)The T2-weighted images showed that intervertebral space became narrower and the signal intensity of the NP region sharply declined in normal saline (NS) group as compared with the adjacent and intact disks. (C) Quantitative analysis showed that relative water content of DAF-G and g-DAF-G groups were larger than the Col I gel and the NS groups, indicating a potential regenerative function of AF-derived hydrogels on AF tissue defect. (C,D) The restorative effect analyzed by quantitative analysis and modified Pfirrmann grading was better in g-DAF-G than DAF-G group, revealing that the mechanical strength improved by genipin might be a vital factor in AF repair. ((A–D) Adapted from Peng et al. (2020a)).