Concurrent effects of piezoelectricity and hydrostatic pressure on chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells

•A piezoelectric scaffold was fabricated by electrospinning.•Cells were seeded onto scaffolds and exposed to hydrostatic pressure.•Piezoelectricity and hydrostatic pressure positively affect differentiation. Synchronized effects of piezoelectricity and hydrostatic pressure on chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells have been studied. Cells were seeded onto scaffolds and exposed to hydrostatic pressure (HP) (5 MPa, 0.5 Hz, 1 h/day) for 7 days. Glycosaminoglycan synthesis was higher in piezoelectric scaffolds comparing non-piezoelectric ones either with or without HP. SOX9 mRNA level was promoted in the concurrent presence of piezoelectricity and HP. Aggrecan (AGG) mRNA level was enhanced in the presence of hydrostatic pressure but not piezoelectricity and type ⅠⅠ collagen (COL ⅠⅠ) was irrespective of either piezoelectricity or HP.