Figure 6.

hMSCs’ pluripotency is retained after labeling with SiCNPs but not SiCNWs. Photomicrographs were obtained three weeks after labeling with SiC nanomaterials, and these images clearly showed the presence of SiC nanomaterials in hMSCs even after three weeks. The first two rows were labeled with Alizarin Red S to detect osteogenic cells; the bottom two rows were labeled with Oil Red O to detect adiopenic cells. Non-induced cells did not have adipogenesis or osteogenesis. Unlabeled cells could be induced to either osteocytes or adipocytes. Cells labeled with SiC nanoparticles could also differentiate, but the SiCNWs-labeled cells did not differentiate. All images have the same magnification and the scale bar in the upper-left image presents 100 μm.