Transcription regulators differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into chondroprogenitors, and their in vivo implantation regenerated the intervertebral disc degeneration

Figure 5 Expression of Sox-9 and Six-1 proteins in transfected human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transfected with Sox-9, Six-1 or both in combination (Sox-9 + Six-1) were cultured in the normal and chondro-induction media for 21 d. Cells were stained for the expression of Sox-9 and Six-1 proteins by immunocytochemical staining. Alexa fluor 488 labeled phalloidin was used to visualize F-actin of the cellular cytoskeleton. A, B: The expression of Sox-9 in Sox-9 and synergistic transfected group in normal and chondro-induction media, and their fluorescent intensities, respectively; C, D: The expression of Six-1 in Six-1 and synergistic transfected group in normal and chondro-induction media, and their fluorescent intensities, respectively. ^bP < 0.01 vs control; ^cP < 0.001 vs control.