Mechanisms Underlying the Osteo- and Adipo-Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 2

Change and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards osteoblasts. Runx2 commits MSCs towards osteogenic lineage and inhibits adipogenic differentiation. After commitment, MSCs are differentiated into preosteoblasts which express runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5), and msh homeobox homologue 2 (Msx2). Preosteoblasts differentiate into immature osteoblasts. Immature osteoblasts express bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Osterix (Osx), β-catenin, bone matrix proteins, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and develop into mature osteoblasts. Mature osteoblasts express osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and type I collagen.