Fig. 2. SkMSCs competently proliferate on the MBP-FGF2-immobilized matrix. (A) Phase-contrast microscopic images of proliferating SkMSCs cultured on Matrigel or MBP-FGF2 matrix-coated surface with or without FGF2 supplementation in the growth medium for 4 days. Scale bar, 50 μm. (B, C) Determination of live SkMSC density with a modified MTS assay. The MTS assay was performed daily during the time course of 4 days. SkMSCs were cultured on BSA-, MBP-FGF2-, or Matrigel-coated 96-well plates in the absence (B) or presence (C) of soluble FGF2 (5 ng/mL) as indicated. Viable cell density was determined from the optical density (O.D.) at 450 nm wavelength. Experiments were performed in triplicates. Data represent normalized mean values with SEM.