CXCR4⁺ Sorted Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Enhance Their Functional Benefits and Improve Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction

Figure 4

CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs expressed higher levels of osteogenic and adipogenic marker mRNA and had lower percentage of OGD-induced apoptosis in vitro. (a) Osteocyte lineage differentiation potential was demonstrated by AP staining. CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs exhibited the markedly increased mRNA expression of BSP and osterix in comparison with unfractionated ASCs. (b) Oil Red O staining indicated the accumulation of oil droplets in cells that differentiated to adipocytes. LPL and PPARγ mRNA expressions were more detectable in CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs as compared to unfractionated ASCs. (c) Apoptotic cell death was assessed by TUNEL staining (red fluorescence), and cell nuclei were visualized with DAPI staining (blue). OGD-induced cell apoptosis was more frequent in CXCR4⁺ sorted ASCs than in unfractionated ASCs. Scale bar represents 50 μm. versus unfractionated ASCs. Abbreviations: CXCR4: CXC-chemokine receptor 4; ASCs: adipose-derived stem cells; OGD: oxygen and glucose deprivation; AP: alkaline phosphatase; BSP: bone sialoprotein; LPL: lipoprotein lipase; PPARγ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.

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