Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Renal Fibrosis and Inhibit Autophagy via Exosome Transfer of miRNA-122a

Figure 5

miRNA-122a mimic-transfected MSC treatment improves injured kidney architecture and reduces renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction- (UUO-) injured mice. (a) Representative hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the sham group and UUO kidneys at 7 days postinjury treated with either PBS vehicle, miRNA-122a mimic-transfected MSCs, or miRNA-122a mimic-transfected MSCs+3-MA. (b) Autophagosomes were detected by TEM for each group of mice 24 h after within the border zone. Arrowhead, autophagosomes. (c, d) Representative photomicrographs of immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA (c) and fibronectin (d) in sham and UUO kidneys at 7 days postinjury treated with either PBS vehicle, miRNA-122a mimic-transfected MSCs, or miRNA-122a mimic-transfected MSCs+3-MA (magnification ×400).

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