Fig. 3

Characterization of hMSC spheroids cultured in anti-gravity bioreactor. A Characteristics of spheroids according to culture methods. B Representative images of hMSC cells and spheroids cultured by hanging drop or anti-gravity for 12 and 24 h. C Representative SEM images of hMSC spheroids at 12 h. D Size distribution of hMSC spheroids (n = 6). E Images of shrinking test. Scale bars = 100 μm. F Shrinking test was performed to confirm the spheroid compaction 12 h after the additional incubation on culture dish (n = 6, * p < 0.001 versus hanging drop group). G Relative Cx43 mRNA expression level of hMSCs evaluated by qRT-PCR (n = 6, * p < 0.05 versus all other group). H Fluorescent images of F-actin (red) in hMSCs. Scale bars = 100 μm. I e-cadherin by immunostaining were observed. J H&E staining images of hMSCs