Fig. 9

Effect of ADSCs on growth factor gene expression and protein secretion in DFSP cells and microenvironment. A Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), B hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and C basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene expression levels in DFSP cells in a mono-culture (control group) or co-culture with ADSCs (experimental group). Data are normalized to the level of the control group. Levels of D VEGF, E HGF, and F bFGF secretion in the supernatants of DFSP-mono-culture (control group) and DFSP-ADSC-co-culture (experimental group) at 48 h were detected by ELISA. ^*p<0.05, ^**p<0.01, and ^***p<0.001 indicate significant differences in relation to the control group in three independent experiments. ADSCs, adipose tissue-derived stem cells; DFSP, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay