Notch Signaling Activation Enhances Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Retinal Differentiation

Figure 1

Characterization of human adipose-derived stem cells. (a) Human ASCs were characterized by flow cytometry based on the expression of mesenchymal stem cell (CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105) and hematopoietic stem cell (CD14, CD34, and CD45) markers. The red histograms refer to the isotype controls, and the blue histograms refer to the human ASC samples for the test. (b) ASCs were differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes upon induction. Adipogenesis differentiation was evaluated by Oil Red O staining (red) and hematoxylin counterstain (blue), and the yellowish lipid depositions were observed in the differentiated cells. For the osteogenesis differentiation, the NBT/BCIP and Alizarin Red S staining demonstrated that the differentiated cells possess strong alkaline phosphatase activity (blue) and reddish calcium deposition, respectively. Chondrogenesis differentiation was evaluated by Alcian blue staining, and the production of acidic polysaccharide (light blue) can be observed in the differentiated cells. Scale bar: 100 μm.

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