Research Paper Volume 13, Issue 2 pp 2231—2250

Matrix stiffness regulates myocardial differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

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Figure 5. Expression of early myocardial markers on mRNA level. (AC) The relative mRNA expression of early myocardial markers Nkx2.5, GATA4 and Mesp1 on different matrix of 13-16 kPa, 62-68 kPa and control group at the same time point, the 1st day, the 7th day and the 14th day. On the 7th day and the 14th day, the expression on the 13-16 kPa matrix was highest among the three groups. (D, E) The expression tendency of the three early myocardial markers on the same stiffness changed with time. The highest expression of Nkx2 and Mesp1 on 62-68 kPa and 13-16 kPa emerged on the 7th day, while the expression of GATA4 decreased gradually over time. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. n=3.