Figure 6.

Blockade of integrin β1 expression prevents transition of adipose myeloid cells to “mesenchymal” progenitor cells. Adipose myeloid cells (pooled adipose tissue stroma, n = 7 independent donors) were treated with scrambled (Scrm) or integrin β1-specific siRNA 24 hours before culture in fibrin. A) Following transfection, cells were cultured in fibrin clots for 0, 3, 6 or 9 d and then recovered for RNA isolation and subsequent qRT-PCR analysis. RNA samples were run in triplicate and are presented as mean fold change ± SE as compared with day 0 scrambled control. B) Following transfection, cells were cultured 5 d in fibrin, recovered from clots and cultured on plastic for differentiation. Cells treated with scrambled siRNA acquired adipogenic capacity as shown by Oil Red O staining of lipid droplets. Cells treated with integrin β1-specific siRNA failed to adhere to plastic or proliferate following culture in fibrin clots.