Lovastatin Decreases the Expression of CD133 and Influences the Differentiation Potential of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Figure 6

Lovastatin decreased the expression of CD133 in hES cells. Expression of CD133 (AC133 epitope) and the pluripotency marker OCT4 in lovastatin treated hES cells, during differentiation into ectodermal (EC), mesodermal (ME), or endodermal (EN) lineages and after the formation of embryoid bodies (EB). (a) hES cells were stained with anti-CD133 (PE), anti-OCT4 (Alexa Fluor 647), or anti-nestin (Alexa Fluor 647 conjugate) antibodies and with DAPI. For analysis cellular debris and doublets were excluded. (b) CD133 expression levels in untreated and lovastatin (20 μM) treated hES cells at various time points over 24–72 h. (c) Number of cells in each subpopulation according to the coexpression of CD133 and OCT4. Results are shown as mean ± SD (). (d) Histograms of CD133 expression in pluripotent hES cells and differentiating hES cells (untreated and lovastatin treated cells).

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