Stem cell gene analysis by qRT-PCR.

Total RNA extracted from hTSCs grown under hypoxic or normaxic conditions was used to synthesize cDNA, which was used as a template in qRT-PCR using primers specific to Oct-4 and Nanog. GAPDH was used as an internal control. Y- axis represents relative gene expression when compared to GAPDH expression levels. Ct values were normalized against hTSCs cultured under 20% O₂. Both stem cell marker genes (Oct-4 and Nanog) cultured at 5% O₂ culture conditions were expressed at significantly higher g005levels than those cultured at 20% O₂ culture conditions.