Research Article

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Pyroptosis of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells through miR-342-3p/Caspase1 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Nephropathy

Figure 4

UC-MSCs inhibit renal pyroptosis through the NLRP3/Caspase1 signaling pathway in vivo. (a–c) Representative graphs of kidney sections with immunohistochemistry staining for NLRP3, Caspase1, and IL-1β. Scale bar, 50 μm. (d, e) The protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase1, GSDMD, and IL-1β were measured by western blot in the control, DN, and DN+UC-MSC groups. (f) RT-PCR analysis of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase1, IL-1β, and IL-18 mRNA expressions in the control, DN, and DN+UC-MSC groups. Data are expressed as . ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups. and .