Figure 2.

ATRA induces apoptotic cell death of chondrogenic competent cells. rEHBMCs were cultured with or without 1 μM ATRA. (A) Number of cells was counted at the indicated time-points. (B) Percentages of apoptotic cells were quantified by flow cytometric analysis following 6, 12, 24 and 48 h of culture. Values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. ^*P<0.01, compared with control cells. (C) Flow cytometric dot plots at the indicated time-points with Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining for the assessment of the apoptotic rate. ATRA, all-trans-retinoic acid; rEHBMCs, rat embryo hindlimb bud mesenchymal cells; FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate; PI, propidium iodide.