Fig. 4

Expression of NLRP3 was downregulated in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and Notch signaling in MSCs was initiated by hypoxia pretreatment. a The effect of miR-223 on NLRP3 expression. The binding site was between miR-223 and the 3′-UTR of NLRP3 mRNA. b Dual luciferase assay. *P < 0.05, versus the NC group. c RTECs were treated with hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) stimulation and then cocultured with MSCs or hypoxia-pretreated MSCs (htMSCs) in a double-chamber. Cells were harvested at 48 h. Expression of NLRP3 in RTECs was detected by qRT-PCR. ^a P < 0.05, versus the RTEC group; ^b P < 0.05, versus the HR RTEC group; ^c P < 0.05, versus the HR RTEC + MSC group. d Representative images from the immunofluorescence assays used to detect NLRP3 in RTECs (×400 magnification). e Expression of Notch1 in MSCs was detected by qRT-PCR. ^a P < 0.05, versus the normal cultured MSCs. f Representative images from immunofluorescence assays used to detect Notch1 in MSCs (×400 magnification). DAPI 4,6-diamino-2-phenyl indole, GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, NC negative control, NLRP3 NLR family-pyrin domain containing 3, UTR untranslated region