Fig. 1.

BMSC enriched for mesenchymal progenitors are capable of multi-lineage differentiation and are positive for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers. Under chondrogenic conditions these cells were capable of producing a proteoglycan matrix as assessed by Alcian blue stain (a), capable of adipogenic differentiation with induction as assessed by oil-red-O stain (b) and capable of osteogenic differentiation as assessed by von Kossa stain for mineral(c). Cultures were also highly positive for integrinβ1 (d), vimentin (e) and fibronectin (f) as assessed by fluorescent immunocytochemistry