Figure 4

Gene expression profiles in WJ-derived cells. 1. Aggrecan (a) and osteocalcin (b) quantitative gene expression profiles at P2 and P5 in WJ explant (E-P2, E-P5)- and pellet (P-P2, P-P5)-derived MSCs isolated and expanded in the XF medium, as compared to controls represented by WJ-MSCs at P5 (a) and P2/P5 (b), not employed into differentiation assays; * and **, statistically significant increase in gene expression (P < 0.05), as compared to control and previous passage, respectively; #, statistically significant decrease in gene expression (P < 0.05), as compared to previous passage; 2. Quantitative vWF (a) and CD31 (b) gene expression profiles in explant- and pellet-derived cells belonging to group A at P3 and P5 (A-P3, A-P5, C = Controls represented by explant- and pellet-derived WJ-MSCs not used into endothelial differentiation assay); Quantitative vWF (c) and CD31 (d) gene expression profiles in explant- and pellet-derived cells belonging to group B at P3 and P5 (B-P3, B-P5, C = Control represented by enzymatically dissociated, freshly isolated WJ cells, * = statistically significant increase in gene expression (P < 0.05) between group B Control (C) and B-P3/B-P5); 3. Qualitative endothelial gene expression profiles in WJ explant- and pellet-derived cells belonging to groups A and B, after five passages of exposure to endothelial medium, as compared to enzymatically dissociated, freshly isolated WJ cells (pellet-P0) and HUVECs. HUVECs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells; MSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; P, passage; vWF, von Willebrand factor; WJ, Wharton’s jelly; XF, xeno-free.