Fig. 5

Matrix deposition and mechanical properties of the tissue engineered cartilage. Assays were performed after 14 days of chondrogenic differentiation under free loading (FL) or dynamic compressive loading (DL) conditions and 30 days of ectopic implantation in nude mice. a Average wet weight (Ave. wet weight) and DNA content per sample. b Cartilaginous matrix (glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen) deposition of the constructs, normalized to wet weight (w.w.). c Mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and ultimate load) of the constructs laden with M-MSCs or untreated MSCs. Values represent means ± SD (n = 8). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, vs. MSCs + FL; ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01, vs. M-MSCs + FL; ^▲ P < 0.05, vs. MSCs + DL. M-MSC manipulated mesenchymal stem cell, MSC mesenchymal stem cell