Fig. 2

HA induces ALP, but does not influence dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) proliferation or cell cycle distribution. a DPSC growth curve following treatment with hyaluronic acid (HA). Increases are shown as percentages relative to the value on the first day of culture without HA, which was set at 100 %. Data are presented as the mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. b Representative figures of cell cycle distribution are shown. DPSCs were treated with HA (10 μg/mL) for 48 h. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry and cells classified into G0 + G1, S and G2 + M phases. c Bar graphs represent the percentage of cells within the different cell cycle phases of DPSCs treated as indicated. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. d ALP and CD44 protein levels were evaluated by western blotting. Whole-cell lysates of harvested DPSCs treated with HA at various concentrations for 1 week were examined. e Intracellular ALP concentrations were quantified using a fluorogenic ALP assay. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. ^* P < 0.05, vs. control. ^** P < 0.01, vs. control. ALP alkaline phosphatase, HA hyaluronic acid