Osteogenic Potential of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells for Calvaria Bone Regeneration

Figure 3

Characterization of osteogenic differentiation of MAPCs in 3D aggregate culture. The generation of MAPC aggregates was observed on 0, 2, and 5 days after suspension culture ((a) to (c)). Cell aggregation formed a compact spheroid at day 5 (c). After 28 days, osteogenic potential of 3D aggregates was analyzed by immunostaining with osteocalcin ((d), (e), and (f)) and collagen type I (h) antibodies. Mineralization was also observed by Alizarin Red S staining (g). (i) showed direct aggregates seeding on the scaffold during surgery on rat calvarial defect (arrows indicate 3D aggregates). Scale bars: 100 μm ((a) to (f)), 200 μm ((g) and (h)), and 1 mm (i).