MiR-301a promotes embryonic stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes

Figure 2 MiR-301a does not affect mouse embryonic stem cell properties or the formation of early embryoid bodies. A: Schematic representation of the procedure to induce cardiomyocyte differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells; B: The expression level of miR-301a in mouse embryonic stem cells before differentiation (BD) and cardiomyocytes at day 12 after differentiation (AD). Fold change was calculated by dividing the value at AD by the value at BD. Data are the mean ± SE (n = 3), ^bP < 0.01; C: Immuno-fluorescence staining for the stem cell markers OCT4 and NANOG in mouse embryonic stem cell clones at day 2 under adherent culture; D: Gene expression detection of stem cell markers, including SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and KLF4, in embryoid bodies at day 2 with or without overexpression of miR-301a. A quantitative real-time PCR method was applied. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (n = 3). E: Representative images of embryoid bodies formed from mouse embryonic stem cells at day 4 with or without overexpression of miR-301a; F: Average diameter of embryoid bodies at day 4 with or without overexpression of miR-301a. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (n = 10).