Three‐Dimensional Culture with Stiff Microstructures Increases Proliferation and Slows Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

A small quantity of stiff microstructures in a 3D matrix regulates human mesenchymal stem cells to increase proliferation and slow differentiation after 10 days in culture. Cell morphology, clustering and gene expression are significantly different although the stiff microstructures are only 0.07% of the total gel volume.