Mesenchymal Stem Cells Loaded with Gelatin Microcryogels Attenuate Renal Fibrosis

Figure 2

Antifibrotic effect of MSC-loaded GMs at 12 weeks. (a) Expression of α-SMA, TGF-β, and collagen IV in kidney tissues of the Sham, NPX, and NPX + MSC groups stained by immunohistochemistry. The magnification for α-SMA and TGF-β is 200X (scale bar, 200 μm); the magnification for collagen IV is 400X (scale bar, 100 μm). (b) Representative western blot and relative bar graph analysis of α-SMA, TGF-β, and collagen IV protein levels in the Sham, NPX, and NPX + MSC groups. (c) Antifibrotic molecule of HO-1, BMP-7, and HGF mRNA expression in kidney tissue. Sham, sham group; NPX, 5/6 nephrectomy group; NPX + MSC, 5/6 nephrectomy and pedicled greater omentum packed with MSC-loaded GMs on remnant renal tissue group. versus Sham group; versus NPX group (n = 6).

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