Immortalization of epidural fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells: In vitro characterization and adipocyte differentiation potential

Figure 3 Retransfection of human telomerase reverse transcriptase restores growth arrest due to cell senescence. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-Re epidural fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells (EF-MSCs) exhibited a significantly enhanced proliferative capacity and extended lifespan, while maintaining their SC characteristics. A: Representative images of hTERT-Re EF-MSCs, demonstrating preserved proliferation beyond passage 100, scale bar = 200 μm; B: Fluorescence-activated single cell sorting analysis showing the expression of SC surface markers in hTERT-Re EF-MSCs; C: Representative images and quantification of Oil Red O staining in hTERT-Re EF-MSCs (passage 100), scale bar = 50 μm; D: Expression levels of the adipogenesis marker protein CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha in hTERT-Re EF-MSCs (passage 100); E: Representative images and quantification of β-galactosidase staining in EF-MSCs, scale bar = 50 μm. Data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation for each group. ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001.