Fig. 6: CPAC hydrogel promotes in vivo bone regeneration in a rat cranial defect model. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: CPAC hydrogel promotes in vivo bone regeneration in a rat cranial defect model.

From: Mechanically heterogeneous hydrogel with cell-programmed network restructuring promotes tissue regeneration by mechano-epigenetic modulation

Fig. 6: CPAC hydrogel promotes in vivo bone regeneration in a rat cranial defect model.The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.

a Schematic illustration of MSCs-loaded NC and CPAC hydrogel implantation in rat cranial bone defects. b Micro-CT images showing bone defects at 8 weeks post-implantation for the Blank, Hydrogel, NC, and CPAC hydrogel groups. Quantification of c bone volume (BV), d bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), and e bone surface area/total volume (BS/TV) in the bone defect sites after 8 weeks, respectively. Data are presented as mean values ± SD, n = 3 independent SD rats, ns not significant, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001 (one-way ANOVA). f H&E staining, g Masson’s trichrome staining of the bone defects in the Blank, NC, and CPAC hydrogel groups, respectively (scale bar = 200 μm). h OCN immunohistochemical staining in the Blank, NC, and CPAC hydrogel groups (scale bar = 100 μm). Each experiment was repeated three times independently with similar results. Data are presented as mean ± SD; **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001. Source data are provided as a Source data file.

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