Single cell RNA sequencing reveals mesenchymal heterogeneity and critical functions of Cd271 in tooth development

Figure 4 Cd271 knockout mesenchymal stem cells showed weaker proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential. A: Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes between Cd271 knockout and wild-type mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); B: Growth curves of Cd271 knockout and wild-type MSCs; C: Mineralization assay of Cd271 knockout and wild-type MSCs. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining of Cd271 knockout MSCs was significantly lighter. ALP activity and calcium quantification were significantly lower in Cd271 knockout compared with wild-type MSCs; D: Protein–protein interaction network interaction analysis of wildtype vs Cd271 knockout differentially expressed genes; E: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay of some differentially expressed genes in Cd271 knockout and wild-type MSCs. Data are presented as mean values ± SD (n = 3 biologically independent experiments. Two-sided unpaired t-test, ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001) BP: Biological Process; CC: Cell component; MF: Molecular function; ARS: Alizarin red S; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; KO: Knockout; WT: Wild-type.