Fig. 4.

Macroscopic observation, histological scoring and biomechanical tests of repaired cartilage in vivo. a) Macroscopic appearance of the specimens harvested at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Biomechanical properties of repaired cartilage in different groups: b) reduced modulus and c) hardness. (n = 3, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, scale bar = 5 mm) d) H&E staining of repaired cartilage at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (N: native cartilage; R: repaired cartilage; the arrow indicates the edge of native cartilage and repaired cartilage). e) Histological score for repaired cartilage at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. (n = 3, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, scale bar = 200 μm).