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Fig. 5 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 5

From: TGF-β1-induced differentiation of SHED into functional smooth muscle cells

Fig. 5

SHED-derived SMCs promote EC vessel formation. a Photomicrographs of EC-coated microbeads cultured in fibrin gels with SMC, SHED and SHED-induced SMC on the gel surface. b The schematic representation of calculating tube formation from each bead: (i) the number of vessels which sprout from the bead directly (in blue); (ii) the total number of individual vessel segments (including blue and yellow); and (iii) the total length of all the vessel segments. c Quantification of the vessel structures in the fibrin gel bead assay in the presence of SMC, SHED and SHED-induced SMC.*: p < 0.05 versus SMCs group, ^: p < 0.05 between SHED and SHED-derived SMCs. d Western blot showing fibronectin expression within each experimental group. All experiments were performed three times (N = 3). ECs endothelial cells, SHED stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, SMCs smooth muscle cells

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