Fig. 3

Cell proliferation and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) expression in the presence of poly-caprolactone (PCL) filaments. a–f Confocal microscopy optical sections of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) cultured for 48 h on a coverslip (a–c) or on PCL filaments (d–f) immunolabeled for KI-67 (red) (a, b, d, e) or FGF-2 (c, f). Cell nuclei were stained with To-Pro (blue). g Quantitative analysis showing the percentage of KI-67+ MSC on a coverslip or PCL filaments. h Quantitative analysis of the FGF-2 concentration (pg/mL) detected by ELISA assay in the conditioned medium from MSC cultures on a coverslip or with PCL filaments. Scale bars: a–f = 100 μm. ***p < 0.0001, **p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney