Simultaneous anabolic and catabolic responses of human chondrocytes seeded in collagen hydrogels to long-term continuous dynamic compression

In conclusion, long-term mechanical preconditioning of human chondrocytes seeded in collagen type I hydrogels considerably improves biological and biomechanical properties of the constructs, corroborating the clinical potential of mechanical stimulation in matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) procedures.