Fig. 5

HMF viability and proliferation encapsulated in mTG hydrogels. HMFs encapsulated in compliant, moderate and stiff hydrogels were assessed for changes in viability and proliferation during the culture period. a Overall, HMFs exhibited significantly greater numbers of live versus dead cells in all hydrogel conditions and at all time points tested. ba,b During the culture period, the rate of HMF proliferation in compliant and moderate hydrogels significantly increased. bc The rate of HMF proliferation in stiff hydrogels increased between days 1 and 5, with no appreciable changes between days 5 and 7. bd Overall, HMFs encapsulated in moderate hydrogels exhibited the most significant changes in proliferation at all time points tested with the exception of day 3. ^* p ≤ 0.05; ^** p ≤ 0.01; ^*** p ≤ 0.001