Figure 5

Ectopic expression of DKK1 in SOX2-knockdown hUCB–MSCs reverted the differentiation malformation. (a–c) The adipogenic deformity of lentiviral-mediated SOX2-knockdown hUCB–MSCs was rescued after ectopic expression of DKK1, and this result was confirmed by morphology (a), oil red O elution (b), and marker gene analysis (c). The scale bar represents 100 μm. ^**P<0.01. (d–f) The ability of hUCB–MSCs to undergo osteogenic differentiation upon SOX2 knockdown by lentivirus was decreased after the ectopic expression of DKK1, and this result was confirmed by morphology (d), alizarin red S elution (e), and marker gene analysis (f). The scale bar represents 100 μm. ^***P<0.001. (g and h) The ability of hUCB–MSCs to undergo chondrogenic differentiation upon SOX2 knockdown by lentivirus was decreased by the ectopic expression of DKK1, and this result was confirmed by pellet size (g) and marker gene analysis (h). The scale bar represents 100 μm