c-Kit-Positive Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote the Growth and Angiogenesis of Breast Cancer

Figure 1

The characterization of isolated ASCs and EPCs. ASCs were isolated from inguinal adipose tissue of Balb/c female mice and cultured in DMEM. The cells were placed on EZ slides for detection of biomarker expression using immunofluorescence. BM-EPCs were isolated from the femurs of Balb/c female mice and cultured in EGM-2. A total of 1 × 10³ EPCs were plated on methylcellulose containing EGM-2 medium for 8–10 days, and colony formation units were defined as cluster-like collections of cells. (a) The morphology and differentiation potential of ASCs. ASCs appeared as a spindle shape, and adipogenic differentiation was confirmed by oil red O staining. (b) Isolated ASCs were stained for c-Kit and CD90 expression. ((c)-(d)) The percentages of c-Kit⁺ and CD90⁺ cells during each isolation. (e) Isolated ASCs were stained for CD34 and CD45 expression. (f) The morphology and colony formation assay in EPCs. EPCs cultured for 7–14 days demonstrated a cobblestone appearance on collagen-coated plates and cell-cluster formation on methylcellulose. (a)1, (a)2, (f)1, and (f)3: 40× magnification; (b) and (f)2: 100× magnification; (e) and (f)4: 200× magnification. ASCs: adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells; EPCs: endothelial progenitor cells.

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