Figure 1.

WJCs characterization. Light microscopic micrographs of WJ-MSCs in monolayer at the 4^th(A) and the 12^th(B) culture passages. In monolayer culture, cells assumed a polymorphic, fibroblast-like morphology, which was maintained throughout the time of culture (scale bar 40 μm). Growth characterization of WJ-MSCs during the in vitro expansion (4^th and 12^th passage) measured by cell count (C) and by the BrdU incorporation assay, allowing the doubling time evaluation (D). The ability of WJ-MSCs to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage at the 4^th(E) and the 12^th(F) culture passages was evidenced by the intracellular accumulation of neutral lipid vacuoles (red oil staining) (scale bar 20 μm). Osteogenic differentiation at the 4^th(G) and the 12^th(H) culture passages was indicated by the increase in alkaline phosphatase reaction (scale bar 80 μm). Light microscopic micrographs A, B, E, F, G and H are representative of five separate biological samples.