Fig. 5

The cross-talk between BMSCs and EPCs under the Dex-stimulated condition after treatment. A–B The levels of PDGF-BB and VEGF in Dex-stimulated BMSCs treated as indicated for 24 h. C–D The levels of BMP-2 and OPG in Dex-stimulated EPCs treated as indicated for 3 days. E, G Early osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was determined by ALP staining and ALP activity assays after 5 days of induction. F, H Late osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was determined by Alizarin Red staining and the calcium deposition was quantified by measuring the optical density, after 14 days of induction. I–J The expression levels of specific proteins in BMSCs treated as indicated for 3 days. K In vitro tube formation assay of EPCs treated as indicated (scale bar: 150 μm). L The migration evaluation of EPCs treated as indicated by transwell assay (scale bar: 100 μm). M Quantification of tube formation. N Quantification of migrated cells. O–P The phosphorylation levels of PDGFRβ and FAK in EPCs treated as indicated for 24 h. All results are presented as the means ± SDs, ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01