Mesenchymal stem cell morphology during expansion and differentiation.

<p>MSC were stained with crystal violet after expansion in media containing 10% of FBS, HPLF or HPLO for three passages (A–C). MSC cultured in HPLF or HPLO developed more spindle shaped morphology than cells cultured in FBS, proliferated faster and left circular areas containing no cells between them. Differentiation towards osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes was initiated after expansion in the three supplements. After 28 days of osteogenic differentiation mineralization in the culture could be visualized with a Von Kossa staining (D–F). Successful adipogenic differentiation was confirmed with Oil red O staining (G–I) and after 28 days of chondrogenic pellet cultures, the pellets were sectioned and stained with toludine blue staining (J–L). Pictures representative of three experiments.