Fig. 4From: Argon plasma modified nanocomposite polyurethane scaffolds provide an alternative strategy for cartilage tissue engineeringAssessment of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) formation by the human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) after 14 days on polyurethane (PU), argon (Ar) and Medpor scaffolds. a RT-qPCR Analysis of ECM formation on all scaffolds. Ar showed a significantly greater expression of Collagen I (Col I), Collagen III (Col III), elastin, fibronectin (Fn) and laminin (Lm) after 14 days than Medpor and PU (*p < 0.05). Fold change represents difference to housekeeping gene GAPDH of HDFs growing on tissue culture plastic. b Collagen Type I expression by immunocytochemistry of the HDFs after 14 days on all scaffolds. Green; Collagen Type I, Blue: Nuclei staining using DAPI. Scale bar refers to 50 μm. c Total collagen secretion by the HDFs on all scaffolds. d Hydroxyproline secretion by the HDFs on all scaffolds. P values * < 0.05 ** < 0.01 ***p < 0.001. PU; Unmodified polyurethaneBack to article page