Characterization of nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) lentiviral transfection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The expression levels of NGF and bFGF proteins in the various transfected cells was determined by western blotting 72 h post-transfection. (A) The plv-NGF-transfected BMSCs and the plv-NGF-bFGF co-transfected BMSCs expressed NGF protein, whereas the remaining groups secreted little NGF protein. The plv-bFGF-transfected BMSCs and the plv-NGF-bFGF co-transfected BMSCs expressed bFGF protein, whereas the remaining groups secreted little bFGF protein. (B) The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) from five independent groups (n=3). **P<0.01, as compared with the untransfected BMSCs, the plv-blank-transfected BMSCs, and the plv-bFGF-transfected BMSCs. (C) The data are presented as the mean ± SD (n=3). **P<0.01, as compared with the untransfected BMSCs, the plv-blank-transfected BMSCs, and the plv-NGF-transfected BMSCs.