Fig. 3

BMSCs rescued SM-induced lung failure. a In vivo and in vitro imaging of IR-780 iodide-labeled BMSCs after transplantation. Imaging 1 h after BMSC injection in SM-poisoned mice and at different time points after BMSC injection in SM-poisoned mouse lungs. b Evaluation of the influence of BMSCs on the survival rate of SM-treated mice. *p < 0.05 vs SM group (n = 15). c Representative photographs of lung sections stained with H&E from SM-exposed mice (× 200). A normal mouse lung tissue included the following: normal alveolar cavities, no edema, and hemorrhage. A representative image of the SM group included the following: a high level of inflammatory cell infiltration present in the alveolar cavity, mucosal epithelium, and airways; edema and hemorrhage in many areas; and marked thickening of the alveolar septum. Little improvement was observed in the NAC group; the BMSC group showed conspicuous protection against SM-induced damage to the lung tissue, as revealed by the relatively normal alveolar cavity, mucosal epithelium and airways as well as minimal inflammatory cell infiltration and septal thickening (left channel). Comparison of pathological lung injury scores in SM-exposed mice. *p < 0.05 vs SM group (right channel). d Comparison of BALF protein level (left channel) and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (right channel) in SM-exposed mice. *p < 0.05 compared with the SM group; **p< 0.01 compared with the SM group