Fig. 5

Fibrosis-related factors α-SMA, TGFβ1, CTGF and COLIwere down-regulated by uMSCs administration. (a-d) uMSCs administration significantly inhibited the expression of pro-fibrogeneic genes α-SMA, TGFβ1, CTGF and COLI and had a statistically difference compared with vehicle^inj FK group and FK group. No statistically significant differences were detected in the α-SMA, TGFβ1, CTGF, and COLI mRNA expression between the FK group and vehicle^inj FK group. (e and f) Protein concentration of α-SMA and COLIwere detected by ELISA kits at 14d post-injury, no statistical differences were found between groups. Values are given as means ± SD, n = 6, ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001