Fig. 5

Molecular characteristics and biological functions of laryngeal clonal cells. a Gene expression of stellate cell markers Des, Nes, Gfap, Gdf3, Ncam, Ngf, and Prom1 analyzed by qRT-PCR. Error bars, SD (n = 3 wells). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 compared with BM-MSCs; ^# P < 0.05, ^### P < 0.001 compared with EM cells; ^$ P < 0.05, ^$$ P < 0.01, ^$$$ P < 0.001 compared with LP cells. b Immunofluorescent staining was performed to identify differential markers of MF cells, GFAP and GDF3. Scale bars, 20 μm. c Protein expression of GFAP and GDF3 confirmed by western blot analysis. d Expression of ECM-related genes (Col1a1, Eln, Fn, and Has2) and growth factors (Hgf, Egf, and Vegf) analyzed in clonally expanded laryngeal MSC-like cells by qRT-PCR. Error bars, SD (n = 3 wells). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 compared with BM-MSCs; ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01, ^### P < 0.001 compared with EM cells; ^$ P < 0.05, ^$$$ P < 0.001 compared with LP cells. Refer to Additional file 1 for complete statistical values. EM epiglottic mucosa, LP lamina propria, MF macula flava, BM bone marrow