Fig. 1

AF cells and MenSCs co-culture promote production of extra-cellular matrix and growth factors. (A): The coculture system of MenSCs and AF cells; (B) Alcian blue and safranine O staining; (C) collagen I immunofluorescence; (D): Scleraxis immunofluorescence;(E): CD146 immunofluorescence; (E) qPCR for collagen I, Scleraxis, CD146, Bpifa2f, Fibin, and Myoc, Igfbp5, MMP3, and IL-11. (F) Western blot for TGF-β and IGF-I; (G) ELISA for TGF-β and IGF-I. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. Col I, collagen I; SCX, scleraxis; MenSCs, menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells; AF, anulus pulposus. Scale bar = 20 μm for immunofluorescence, scale bar = 50 μm for safranine O staining