Stromal cell-derived factor-1α promotes recruitment and differentiation of nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells

Figure 6 Effects of stromal cell-derived factor-1/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 axis on chondrogenesis differentiation of nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells using cell micromass culture. A: Representative images of the gross cell aggregates and comparison of the weight of the aggregates among various groups; B: Histological analysis of proteoglycan content in the aggregates using Alcian Blue staining; C: Immunohistochemical analysis of the synthesis of aggrecan and collagen II after different treatments. The results suggest that stromal cell-derived factor-1 enhanced nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells differentiation toward chondrocytes, but this effect was significantly suppressed by AMD3100. Values are the mean ± SD of three pellets per group, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01. SDF-1: Stromal cell-derived factor-1; IOD: Integrated optical density.