Fig. 3

Histological analysis of the hBM-MPC micromass cultures during chondrogenesis. a Whole-mount cultures stained with Alcian blue showing cartilage-specific GAG-rich matrix deposition on days 7, 10, and 14 of culture. Scale bar = 1 mm. b, c Transverse sections of the same cultures stained with b Alcian blue, showing abundant, GAG-rich extracellular matrix encasing lacunae, and c hematoxylin-eosin, showing uniform cell distribution embedded within abundant extracellular matrix. Scale bar = 50 μm. Inset images depict a low magnification (× 10) image of each culture for reference. Scale bar = 200 μm