Fig. 2

Identification of ligament fibroblasts and growth characterization. a Optical microscopy analysis of ligament fibroblasts derived from OPLL and non-OPLL patients (n = 12 for each group). The cells were multi-angled in shape and also had relatively long cell antennas. b Representative fluorescent images showing immunofluorescence assay for vimentin and keratin expression in ligament fibroblasts derived from OPLL and non-OPLL patients (n = 12 for each group). Scale bar, 20 μm. c CCK-8 assay measuring cell viability. Ligament fibroblasts derived from OPLL and non-OPLL patients were cultured in DMEM for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 days (n = 12 for each group). ^*P < 0.05 OPLL vs. non-OPLL. OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament