Journal: bioRxiv
Article Title: Flowable Grafts Made from Granular Extracellular Matrix (gECM) Hydrogels Promote Integrative Repair of Articular Cartilage in a Large-Animal Model
doi: 10.64898/2026.05.05.723111
Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Atomic Force Microscopy was used on the surface of all repair regions to evaluate critical cartilage tribological measurements, (B) The gECM hydrogel (blue) maintained low frictional coefficient, adhesion levels, and surface roughness compared to microdrilling repair tissue (gray), and the surrounding native tissue (green dashed line). (C) Microindentation was used on the surface of all repair regions to further evaluate mechanics under compression, equilibrium, and the fluid load fraction of the tissue. (D) Compressive modulus and equilibrium modulus were significantly elevated in both treatment groups, compared to native tissue, while fluid load fraction did not significantly differ from native to treatment in either treatment. (p > 0.05, green p-value represents a significant difference of both repair types compared to native cartilage).
Article Snippet: Surface roughness, frictional coefficient, adhesion, compressive modulus, and topographical structures were measured using atomic force microscopy (Keysight 5500 AFM, Keysight Technologies Inc., Santa Rosa, CA, USA).
Techniques: Microscopy