Figure 3.

Muse‐AT cells differentiate into the three germ cell lineages. (A): Muse‐AT cells cultured in adherent plastic have the ability to spontaneously differentiate into mesodermal, endodermal, and ectodermal lineages, as demonstrated by the expression of mRNAs for Nkx2.5, α‐fetoprotein, and MAP‐2 respectively, determined by qualitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. (B): In the presence of specific differentiation medium, immunofluorescence staining revealed positivity for hepatocyte (α‐fetoprotein, red), myocyte (SMA, green), and neuron (MAP‐2, red) markers. Nuclei were stained with 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (blue). Original magnification ×200. Abbreviations: GAPDH, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase; MAP‐2, microtubule‐associated protein 2; Muse‐AT, multilineage‐differentiating stress‐enduring cells derived from adipose tissue; Nkx2.5, NK2 homeobox 5; SMA, smooth muscle actin.