Differential effects on messenger ribonucleic acid expression by bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells seeded in agarose constructs due to ramped and steady applications of cyclic hydrostatic pressure.

This study investigated the differential effects of ramped and steady applications of cyclic hydrostatic pressure (CHP) on chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in 3-dimensional culture in the absence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). A custom hydrostatic pressure system was designed and manufactured. hMSCs were seeded in agarose and exposed to steady (7.