Figure 3. Stromal cells expressed transcription factors and neurotrophins and differentiated in characteristic mesodermal derivatives. RT-PCR from stromal cells was performed as described in the methods section using specific primers for Oct 3/4, Sox-2, Mash-1, BDNF, NT3, and NT4 (table 2). A) Olfactory mucosa stromal cells constitutively express early transcription factors Oct 3/4, Mash-1, and Sox-2 (HBC and GBC) olfactory precursors, as well as growth factors BDNF, NT3, and NT4 (ensheathing cells). Results are representative of at least three independent experiments. (B) Stromal cells differentiated after 14-21 days into mesodermal lineages: a) mesenchymal stromal cells in DMEM/F12-CM; b) calcium deposition in red suggesting osteoblasts; c) adipocytes (white head arrows), and d) Alcian blue deposition in chondrocytes. Micrographs show calcium deposits (red deposits in b), oil red fatty acid inclusions (c), and Alcian blue positive stain (d) in stromal cells. Results are representative of at least three independent experiments.