Figure 3.

Overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet derived growth factor B increases the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells/bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs), while transforming growth factor β₁ inhibits. Transduced MSCs were cultured in osteogenic media for 14 days. Then, the following assays were performed: (A): Alizarin Red S staining. Upper panel shows representative wells and lower panel the quantification (n = 4)). (B): Alkaline phosphatase activity. Statistical differences are established comparing MSCs in cultured in control media (gray bars) withtheir respective control and MSCs in osteogenic media (black bars) with control cells cultured in osteogenic media (n = 4). (C, D): Semiquantification of osteogenic markers cbfa1 and bsp, respectively (n = 7). Abbreviations: ALP, alkaline phosphatase; bsp, bone sialoprotein; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; cbfa1, core binding factor α 1; PDGF-B, platelet derived growth factor B; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor β₁; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.