Fig. 2

Effects of various NAC concentrations on stem cell-specific markers, osteogenesis and immune-related factors of hDFSCs. A MFI of CD44 and CD90 detected by flow cytometry. B Relative mRNA expression of Notch-1. C Photographs and micrographs depicting the osteogenic differentiation using ALP staining on day 7 after osteogenic induction. Scale bars: 250 μm. D Quantification of ALP activity. E Photographs and micrographs depicting the matrix mineralization using ARS staining on day 14 after osteogenic induction. Scale bars: 250 μm. F Semi-quantification of ARS staining. G Relative mRNA expression of osteogenic factors (RUNX2, COL1, OCN, OPN) after osteogenic culturing for 7 days. H Relative mRNA expression of anti-inflammation factors and receptors (IL-4r, IL-16, TGF-β3, TGF-β2r, TGF-β3r, TGF-βi). I Relative mRNA expression of pro-inflammation factors and receptors (IL-6r, IL-18). Statistically significant differences between groups were determined by P < 0.05 (*), P < 0.01 (**), P < 0.001 (***), P < 0.0001 (****)