Fig. 1

Distribution hBMSC population according to osteoblastic and adipocytic differentiation outcome. Human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) were obtained from 58 donors undergoing surgery for bone fractures and were induced into osteoblasts (OB) or adipocytes (AD). The differentiation outcome was demonstrated by the ability of the cells to form mineralized matrix stained with Alizarin red (OB) or lipid-filled mature adipocytes stained with Oil red O (AD). a The median values of Alizarin red intensity and lipid droplets area were chosen to classify hBMSC differentiation outcome of all donors, into: (I) donors with low osteoblastic and high adipocytic (OB-AD+), (II) donors with high osteoblastic and adipocytic (OB+AD+), (III) donors with high osteoblastic and low adipocytic (OB+AD-), and (IV) donors with low osteoblastic and adipocytic differentiation (OB-AD-). The representative photomicrographs illustrate matrix mineralization and lipid droplet accumulation. The correlation between the osteoblastic and adipogenic differentiation potency of hBMSCs was analyzed using Spearman correlation test. Column graphs illustrate the distribution of donor characteristics with respect to differentiation outcome: b donor sex, c site of bone marrow aspiration, d donor age, and e donor BMI. None of the donor-related factors was significantly linked with OB or AD differentiation (Fisher’s exact test)