Regulation of <i>CXCR4</i> expression affects the proliferation of MSCs in vitro.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Viability was decreased in MSCs^{sh<i>CXCR4</i>/GFP} and increased in MSCs<i>^CXCR4</i>^/GFP compared to MSCs^GFP or MSCs^native (control), as measured by the MTT assay (Mean ± SD; n = 6; P<0.05 from NO. 4 to 5 time point). (<b>B</b>) All cell nuclei exhibited blue fluorescent Hoechst 33342 staining, and EdU labeling indicated replicating cells. In MSCs<i>^CXCR4</i>, an increased number of cells exhibited red fluorescent EdU labeling following <i>CXCR4</i> overexpression. In MSCs^{sh<i>CXCR4</i>/GFP}, fewer cells exhibited red fluorescence, indicating that EdU labeling decreased with <i>CXCR4</i> knockdown. (<b>C</b>) The percentages of red fluorescent cells for different MSC groups are indicated in the histogram. There were more replicating cells for MSCs<i>^CXCR4</i>^/GFP than the control group. ★P<0.05 vs. control, and ▵P<0.01 vs. MSCs^{sh<i>CXCR4</i>/GFP}.