Fig. 2

Osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation assays. a The differentiation assays were performed in Tie2-, Tie2+ (i.e. NPPC) cells after sorting and a mixed cell population (unsorted NPC). Top panel represents the macroscopic and microscopic images of osteogenesis (Alizarin red staining). Middle panel represents the adipogenic differentiation (Oil red O staining), and arrows highlight the formation of fat droplets. Lower panel represents the chondrogenic differentiation: Safranin-O staining and proteoglycans (PG, red) immunohistochemistry counterstained with DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, blue). Results of one representative experiment of at least 3 repeats are shown. Scale bars are indicated on the images. b Quantification of Alizarin red staining (ARS), Oil red O fat droplets positive cells and GAG/DNA content. Individual cell populations were cross-compared to determine significance with *p < 0.05. Bars represent mean ± SD (N=5)