FIG 1.

Fra-2 expression in osteoblasts induces mesenchymal stem cell alterations. (A) Quantitative PCR analyses of Fra-2 in fat pads, livers, lungs, spleens, brains, bone marrow, and long bones isolated from Fra-2^Ob-tet and littermate mice (n = 6), as well as in osteoblast precursors (OBP)-, osteoblast (Ob)-, and adipocyte (Adip)-derived MSCs from Fra-2^Ob-tet and littermate mice (n = 4). (B) FACS quantification of mesenchymal stem cells (Ter119⁻ CD45⁻ Sca-1⁺) in bone marrow from 10-week-old Fra-2^Ob-tet and littermate mice (n = 8). (C) Immunofluorescence staining for SDF-1 in the tibiae of 10-week-old Fra-2^Ob-tet and littermate mice (magnification, ×100). Arrows indicate SDF-1⁺ cells. (D) Real-time PCR analyses of bone niche genes in flushed bone marrow from 10-week-old Fra-2^Ob-tet and littermate mice (n = 6). Significant differences are indicated as follows: *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01.