Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) Regulates Urinary Stem Cells Differentiation into Smooth Muscle via NF-κB Signal Pathway

Figure 1

(a–e) USCs isolated from urine of dogs and high cell density promoted USCs differentiation into SMCs. Representative images of dog USCs expansion on days 4, 6, 8, and 12 at low density (LD) or high density (HD) (a). Flow cytometric analysis reveals CD surface antigen expression on dog USCs; pluripotent stem cell markers (SSEA-4, CD29, CD90, CD24) were strongly positive; CD31, CD133, and CD105 were weakly positive; hematopoietic cell marker CD45 and endothelial lineage markers CD31 and CD34 were negative (b). USCs were seeded at low density (LD) or high density (HD), immunostaining for SM22 and aSMA. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue) (c). Western blot and qRT-PCR for calponin, aSMA, and SM22 were quantified to show relative protein and mRNA levels in LD and HD USCs, respectively (c, d).

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