*2.3.1 ADSC and hACh 3D culture in RAD/CS and RAD/Dec composite scaffold*

 RAD16-I (PuraMatrix™, 354250, Corning) and composites RAD/CS and RAD/Decorin were prepared at a final concentration of 0.3% (w/v) RAD16-I. The composites were prepared by combining 95 μL of 0.5% (w/v) RAD16-I and 5 μL CS or Decorin at a concentration of 0.2% (w/v). The mixture was then diluted with 10% sucrose (S0389, Sigma) to a final concentration of 0.3% (w/v) RAD16-I. To obtain RAD16-I, RAD/CS and RAD/Decorin 3D cultures, cells were harvested by trypsinization and resuspended to 4 × 10<sup>6</sup> cells/mL in 10% sucrose. The 0.3% (w/v) RAD16-I peptide solution was mixed with the cell suspension (1:1) to obtain a final concentration of 0.15% (w/v) RAD16-I and 2 × 106 cells/mL. Then, 80 μL of the cell-peptide mixture (160,000 cells) was loaded into individual wells of a 48-well culture containing 150 μL of control or expansion medium, which induced the self-assembly of the peptide. The plate was placed in the incubator for 20 min at 37°C and 5% CO2, and then 650 μL of fresh medium was added to the 3D cell cultures.

## *2.3.2 hACh 3D culture in PCL, PCL/RAD and RAD scaffolds*

 In the case of PCL scaffold, a cell suspension of 25 × 106 cells/mL was seeded onto the surface of 5 mm × 0.75 mm woven PCL scaffolds (500,000 cells/scaffold). After 2 h, 100 μL of expansion or control medium were slowly added into the well and after 4 h, 700 μL were finally added. For PCL/RAD composites, cells were harvested and resuspended to 50 × 106 cells/mL in 10% (w/v) sucrose. Then, cells were equally mixed with 1% (w/v) RAD16-I and seeded onto the woven PCL scaffold disks (500,000 cells/scaffold). Then, 40 μL of expansion or control medium was added and the gel was spontaneously formed inside the PCL scaffolds, where the cells were embedded. After 30 min, 60 μL of medium was added in the well, and after 2 h, 700 μL was finally added. 3D cell cultures were maintained in the incubator at 37°C and 5% CO2, and medium was changed every other day.
