Fig. (2) Gene expression profiles in (a) hMSC-TERT cells after 1 day in hydrogel culture, and (b) NP cells and (c) chondrocytes after 21 days in hydrogel culture, using EIF4A2 as the reference gene. C_t values were normalized to the reference gene and to the particular mRNA expression in the monolayer culture. No C_t value was available for some markers and although a precise quantification was not possible in these cases, expression changes due to culture setting are illustrated by dashed bars. Increased expression is indicated by dashed bars set to 10² (no expression in monolayer but expression detected in hydrogel culture). Decreased expression is indicated by dashed bars set to 10^-2 (expression detected in monolayer but not in hydrogel culture). Empty spaces indicate no PCR products in the monolayer or hydrogel culture. All calculated relative expression levels were significant (p < 0.05) except those marked as n. s. (= not significant).