Fig. 2

Characterization of induced MSCs. a Real-time PCR analysis: mRNA levels of vWF, PECAM-1, and VEGFR-2 were significantly higher in the induced MSCs compared with uninduced MSCs. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, tested using Student t test. b Detection of endothelia-specific marker vWF and CD34 expression in the induced MSCs by immunofluorescence assay. Blue fluorescence signifies DAPI, red indicates CD34 or vWF, and green represents EGFP. Scale bar = 0.1 mm. c Flow cytometry showed increased CD31+ cell proportion after induction (24%). d Tube formation assay: induced MSCs form a capillary-like network on Matrigel after 6 h. Scale bar = 0.5 mm. e Induced MSCs take up acetylated LDL. Scale bar = 0.1 mm. Blue fluorescence signifies DAPI and red indicates DiI-labeled-acetylated LDL uptake in cells