Increased BMPR1A Expression Enhances the Adipogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Figure 6

Higher fat content and BMPR1A expression were observed in bone marrow from patients with AS. (a) The bone marrow fat content in patients with AS () and healthy donors () was determined using HE staining (the black bars indicate 100 μm). Empty holes with round, smooth edges (black arrows) were considered adipocytes. The percentage of adipocyte volume per marrow volume (Ad.V/Ma.V) was calculated and considered the bone marrow fat content. A higher bone marrow fat content was observed in patients with AS than in healthy donors. (b) Bone marrow tissues were double-stained with antibodies against BMPR1A and CD105. MSCs in the bone marrow tissues expressed both CD105 and BMPR1A, and patients with AS exhibited higher BMPR1A expression than healthy donors. Values are presented as the . for the differences between HDMSCs and ASMSCs.

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