Fig. 4

MenSCs embedded in collagen gel preserved extra-cellular matrix contents of degenerated disc following discectomy. (A): Immunohistochemical examination of aggrecan; (B): Immunohistochemical examination of MMP13; (C): Percentages of aggrecan and MMP13 positive cells relative to total cells in degenerated disc after discectomy. Images are representative of seven replicates. Scale bar = 50 μm; Values are presented as mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. MenSCs, menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells, MMP3, matrix metalloproteinase 3