Sox9 potentiates BMP2-induced cartilage formation and inhibits BMP2-induced endochondral ossification in MSCs implantation in vivo.

<p>(A): Macrographic images of ectopic masses. BMP2 or BMP2 and Sox9 co-infected C3H10T1/2 cells were implanted subcutaneously to the flanks of nude mice. Ectopic masses were retrieved at 5 weeks and 8 weeks (a). The volume of the masses was determined using vernier calipers (b). (B): Histological analysis of the retrieved samples. The retrieved samples were fixed, decalcified, paraffin-embedded and subjected to H&E, Masson’s Trichrome, Alcian blue and safranin O-fast green staining. Representative imagines are shown, magnification, 100X, scale bar = 1 mm.