Fig. 2.

Characterization of cultured CD73-EGFP⁺ and EGFP⁻ MSCs.

(A) Cultured BM-derived EGFP⁺ and EGFP⁻ MSCs from 2 to 3 passages after sorting for EGFP were found to express typical MSC markers in flow cytometry. (B) Comparison of in vitro differentiation potential of EGFP⁺ and EGFP⁻ MSCs into osteoblasts (alizarin red), adipocytes (oil red O) and chondrocytes (trypan blue) revealed strongly increased osteogenic and chondrogenic fate. Scale bars 100 μm. (C, D) After staining, absorbance measurements of cells differentiated into osteogenic (C) or adipogenic (D) fates at day 21 underscored the enhanced osteogenic potential of EGFP⁺ MSCs. n = 3, two-sided t-test, **: P < 0.01. (E) Comparison of the cell proliferation capacity of EGFP⁺ and EGFP⁻ MSCs in culture yielded significantly higher values for EGFP⁺ MSCs until reaching confluence. n = 3, two-sided t-test, **: P < 0.01.