Comparison of Pluripotency, Differentiation, and Mitochondrial Metabolism Capacity in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Formation of Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 3

In vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity of DPSCs. (a) The adipocyte differentiation of DPSCs was evaluated by Oil red O staining of lipid droplets. Osteogenesis was evaluated by Alizarin red and von Kossa staining of mineralization and calcium deposition (). The 2D cultured DPSC group showed to be most weakly stained with Oil red O, Alizarin red, and von Kossa. (b) Expression of osteoblast- (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteonectin) and adipocyte- (FABP4, LPL, and PPARγ) specific genes in induced 2D and 3D cultured DPSC groups. All osteogenesis- and adipogenesis-specific markers were significantly increased in induced 3D cultured DPSC groups as compared to 2D cultured DPSCs. However, no difference was confirmed among the 24-hour 3D cultured (3D 24 h), 48-hour 3D cultured (3D 48 h), and 72-hour 3D cultured (3D 72 h) cells. YWHAZ was used as an internal control. Asterisk () represents a significant () difference.

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