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Figure 3. Cartilage matrix formation by several cell types in vivo . Prior to subcutaneous implantation, constructs were cultured in vitro for 5 weeks in the presence of TGFβ1. (A) Macroscopic view of engineered cartilage constructs after 8 weeks of subcutaneous implantation. (B) Biochemical evaluation of the sGAG and collagen content after subcutaneous implantation. ECs and NCs deposited most sGAGs in vivo . Collagen-production was increased in vivo , but did not differ between the cell sources. (C) ECs and NCs demonstrated a collagen-type-II-rich matrix in almost all cartilage constructs, leading to significantly better semi-quantitative Bern’s scores than the other cell sources. (D) Elastin was not formed in 74 CHAPTER 4