FIG. 3.

Effect of differentiation protocols on key hepatic markers at different time points. Fold change in gene expression of ALB, AFP, and HNF was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The values of 2^−ΔΔCT were calculated by normalizing to those of undifferentiated hBMSCs (CTR). The data are represented as averages ± SD, n = 3. ALB expression on day 21 was compared to that of human primary hepatocytes (dashed box at day 21). * and ^# indicate statistically significant changes of P < 0.05 and P < 0.003, respectively. AFP, α-fetoprotein; ALB, albumin; CTR, control; hHep, human hepatocytes; HNF, hepatocyte nuclear factor; qRT-PCR, real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction; SD, standard deviation.