Figure 3.

Identification of c‐kit⁺ cardiac stem cells (CSCs). The percentages of c‐kit for CSCs were performed by FACS analyses before (A) and after (B) Magnetic‐activated cell sortin (MACS). The morphology of c‐kit⁺ CSCs was observed under light microscopy. Bar, 250 μm, (C). Immunofluorescence for c‐kit was observed in the MACS‐sorted CSCs. Bar, 200 μm, (D). The differentiation of c‐kit⁺ CSCs was detected by immunofluorescence for cardiomyocyte specific protein (desmin, connexin‐43, smooth muscle specific protein [α‐SMA]), bar, 100 μm (E), and endothelial specific protein (CD31), bar, 20 μm (F). The proliferation of c‐kit⁺ CSCs was observed for immunofluorescent Ki‐67. Bar, 20 μm (G).