Efficient One-Step Induction of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSCs) Produces MSC-Derived Neurospheres (MSC-NS) with Unique Transcriptional Profile and Enhanced Neurogenic and Angiogenic Secretomes

Figure 2

UC-MSC-derived neurospheres can be generated using one-step induction. (a) UC-MSC-derived neurosphere formation at different timepoints: 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours after induction. (b) Representative phase contrast images (100x) of UC-MSC-derived neurospheres formed under different regimens, including (1) EGF, bFGF only regimen: EGF and bFGF, both at 20 ng/ml; (2) complete NB (neurobasal) medium regimen (EGF and bFGF, both at 20 ng/ml, with N2 and B27 supplements); (3) half regimen: EGF and bFGF, both at 10 ng/ml, with N2 and B27 supplements; (4) EGF only regimen: EGF 20 ng/ml, no bFGF, with N2 and B27 supplements; (5) bFGF only regimen: bFGF 20 ng/ml, no EGF, with N2 and B27 supplements; (6) N2 only regimen: DMEM/F12 with N2 supplement only, no EGF nor bFGF; and (7) B27 only regimen: DMEM/F12 with B27 supplement only, no EGF nor bFGF. Enlarged image of the black-boxed region denotes the arbitrary classification of large-, medium-, and small-sized neurospheres. Blue arrows denote irregular cell clumps. (c) Statistical analysis of large-, medium-, and small-sized neurospheres produced under different induction regimens. Neurospheres were scored in 6 random fields under the microscope at 100x magnification. . .

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