Fig. 6

CD146 expression is associated with hMSC-DP proliferation, differentiation and immune modulation. a Western blot analysis showed the expression of CD146 in DPSCs and SHED at P5, P10 and P20 under SE or SF culture conditions. b The expression level of CD146 in DPSCs and SHED at P10 was downregulated by siCD146, as assessed by western blot. c Flow cytometry analysis showed the percentage of CD146-positive cells was reduced after siCD146 treatment. n = 3 for each group. d EdU staining showed the proliferation rate of hMSC-DP was decreased after siCD146 treatment. n = 3 for each group. e After co-culturing siCD146-transfected hMSC-DP with T cells, the percentage of apoptotic T cells was reduced, as assessed by flow cytometry. n = 3 for each group. f, g Osteogenesis of hMSC-DP was impaired by knocking down CD146, as assessed by the percentage of alizarin red staining (f) and western blot of osteogenic markers (g). n = 3 for each group. SE, serum; SF, serum-free. Data shown as mean ± SEM. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. ns not significant