Fig. 6.

Histological analysis of osteochondral regeneration at the transplantation site. Images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained samples at low and higher magnification (blue box) of each group at (A) week 6 and (B) week 12. Images of Safranin O and Fast green stained samples at low and higher magnification (blue box) of each group at (C) week 6 and (D) week 12. Scale bar 4x = 4 mm, 20x = 200 μm. (E) Evaluation of cartilage structure of the grafted bone at week 6 and week 12, n = 4. (F) Evaluation of subchondral bone formation in the gap surrounding the graft at week 6 and week 12, n = 4. (G) Evaluation of GAGs content of the gap surrounding the transplanted graft at week 6 and week 12 obtained from both sides of the graft, n = 8. (H) Evaluation of bone density of bone formed in the gap surrounding the transplanted graft at week 6 and week 12 obtained from both sides of the graft. n = 8; ns: not significant; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001.