Figure 3

In vitro differentiation assays of WJ-MSCs at P2/P5, isolated and expanded in XF medium. I. Representative images of MSCs, isolated from both WJ explants (explant-MSCs, A) and enzymatically dissociated WJ (pellet-MSCs, B), showing differentiation towards the adipocyte (A.1a - P5, B.1b - P2), osteocyte (A.2a - P5, B.2b - P2) and chondrocyte (A.3a/4a - P5, B.3b/4b - P2) lineages, as assessed by Oil Red, Alizarin Red and Toluidine Blue/Alcian Blue staining, respectively; C. Negative controls, represented by corresponding pellet-derived MSCs not used in differentiation assays and stained with Oil Red (C.1c), Alizarin Red (C.2c), Toluidine blue (C.3c) and Alcian Blue (C.4c); II.A and B. Representative, lower magnification (10x) images of adipogenic differentiation of WJ explant (a - P2; b - P5)- and pellet (c - P2; d - P5)-derived MSCs. MSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; P, passage; WJ, Wharton’s jelly; XF, xeno-free.