Exogenous Heparan Sulfate Enhances the TGF-β3-Induced Chondrogenesis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Activating TGF-β/Smad Signaling

Figure 5

SB431542 inhibits HS-enhanced TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Cells were cultured in four different media (T, T + HS, T + HS, and T + HS + SB) for 7 days. (a) mRNA levels of SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1 are measured by real-time PCR. Error bars represent the means ± SD, . versus T + SB group, versus T + HS + SB group, versus T group, and versus T group. (b) Immunohistochemistry staining for collagen type II. , scale bar = 50 μm.

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