In biphasic scaffolds loaded equiaxially, which gene was upregulated only in the outer region?

The selection of Mohawk as the gene that is upregulated only in the outer region of biphasic scaffolds loaded equiaxially aligns with its known role in tissue engineering and development, particularly in the context of collagen synthesis and alignment which is crucial for the mechanical properties of the outer region of scaffolds. Mohawk is a transcription factor that is specifically expressed in tendons and ligaments, guiding the differentiation of cells toward a tendon-like phenotype, hence its expression can be localized to regions where tensile strength and load-bearing capacity are essential.

In biphasic scaffolds, the outer region typically faces different mechanical environments compared to the inner region. The upregulation of Mohawk in this area supports the scaffold’s overall functionality by promoting the production of extracellular matrix components that are essential for strength and organization under equiaxial loading conditions. This helps ensure that the outer region can resist tensile forces effectively which is critical in applications such as tendon or ligament repair.

In contrast, other genes such as Tenomodulin, Tenascin, and Scleraxis may have broader expression patterns or may not be uniquely localized to the outer region under the conditions described. Tenomodulin is associated with tendon maturation, Tenascin is involved in tissue remodeling and