Fig. 3

MSCs modulate tight junction protein expression via VEGF-A in LPS-induced animals. Compared with controls, the VEGF-A levels were significantly increased from 12 hours after LPS injection, and elevated VEGF-A levels were sustained 7 days after LPS injection. Meanwhile, MSC treatment significantly attenuated VEGF-A expressions in LPS-treated rats a (n = 3). *p <0.05, **p <0.01. Double immunofluorescence showed that LPS treatment markedly upregulated eNOS immunoreactivity b and downregulated CLN-5 immunoreactivity c in the endothelial cells of the SN, whereas MSC treatment attenuated eNOS expression and increased CLN-5 expression in the endothelial cells at 12 hours and 7 days after LPS injection b, c. Scale bar: 20 μm. CLN-5 claudin-5, DAPI 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, eNOS endothelial nitric oxide synthase, LPS lipopolysaccharide, MSC mesenchymal stem cell, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor