Fig. 6: The effects of overexpression of SERPINB2 on the various functions of stem cells.

Transfection of MSCs with a SERPINB2 vector led to a significant decrease in the number of cells compared with transfection using a control vector (a). SERPINB2 overexpression-mediated cytotoxicity was evaluated by flow cytometry using PE-labeled Annexin-V (b). Elevated levels of caspase-3 fragment following SERPINB2 overexpression were assessed by western blotting (c). SERPINB2 overexpression-mediated apoptotic DNA fragmentation and condensation were visualized using DAPI staining (d). The effects of SERPINB2 overexpression on the cell migration ability were evaluated using a transwell migration assay (e) and by western blotting using an MMP2 antibody (f). The effect of SERPINB2 overexpression on osteoblast or adipocyte differentiation was determined by alizarin red or oil red O staining, respectively. Relative quantification of the calcium mineral content or lipid droplet formation was determined by absorbance measurements at 570 nm or 500 nm, respectively (g). β-actin was used as an internal control. The results represent the means ± SD from three independent experiments