Mechanical Strain Regulates Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 2

Mechanical strain promotes differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that mRNA levels of Runx2 (a) and Osx (b) in general medium increased gradually in MSCs assigned to strain stimulation groups at 3 days and 5 days, as compared with levels in unstrained groups. The mRNA/GAPDH ratios in the different groups were measured by Bio-Rad CFX Manager Software. Values are expressed as means plus or minus standard errors of the mean (±SEMs) (); , : strain-stimulated groups were compared with corresponding unstrained control groups. (c) Western blot analysis showing that levels of Runx2 and Osx proteins gradually increased in the MSCs assigned to the strain stimulation groups at both 3 days and 5 days, as compared with unstrained groups. The mRNA/GAPDH ratios in the different groups were measured by the intensities of the protein bands, as quantified by densitometry with ImageJ software. Values are expressed as means ± SEMs (); , . Strain-stimulated groups were compared with corresponding unstrained control groups.

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