Fig. 3

hMSC’s modifications to their pericellular environment directs fate. a Ratio of expression of PPARγ to RUNX2 in hMSC encapsulated in hydrogels for 72 h and normalized to undifferentiated hMSC controls (mean + s.d.). Ratios were significantly higher in 1:0.375 and 1:3 (*p < 0.05) compared to 1:0.75 hydrogels (n ≥ 4). b Ratio of expression of PPARγ to RUNX2 in hMSC after treatment with RGD sequence-containing peptides (RGD+) for 72 h (mean + s.d.). Ratios were not significantly different in hydrogels of different compositions (n ≥ 8), but for each composition, expression was significantly different than RGD− controls (1:0.375 and 1:3, *p < 0.05; 1:0.75, ***p < 0.001). c Fraction of hMSC that stained positively for Oil Red O (ORO+) or alkaline phosphatase (ALP+), as indicators of adipogenesis and osteogenesis, respectively, after 14 days in culture in a bi-potential osteogenic/adipogenic medium (n = 3300–1200 cells). d Ratio of expression of PPARγ to RUNX2 in hMSC after treatment with 75 μM Exo-1 or f 100 μM Vcpal for 72 h (mean + s.d.). Fraction of hMSC that stained positively for ORO and ALP after treatment with either e 75 μM Exo-1 or g 100 μM Vcpal for 14 days (n = 3300–1200 cells). In a a Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used to detect statistical significance. In b, d, and f a Mann–Whitney test (two-tailed) was used to compare treatment (RGD+, Exo-1+, Vcpal+) to control conditions within each hydrogel composition. In c, e, and g a Fisher’s exact test (two-sided) was used to compare treatment (Exo-1+, Vcpal+) to control conditions within each hydrogel composition (Supplementary Table 3). For representative images of ORO and ALP staining, see Supplementary Fig. 13