Fig. 6

VEGF played a critical role in hucMSC-exosome-mediated promotion of proliferation and migration in HUVECs. a hucMSC-exosomes increased VEGF mRNA expression measured by RT-PCR in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs. b Representative western blot and analyses (c) of VEGF protein expression showed hucMSC-exosomes increased VEGF protein level in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs. d Representative western blot and analyses (e) of VEGF protein expression showed hucMSC-exosomes could not increase the protein levels of VEGF after co-culture with VEGF siRNA.f HUVECs were transfected with VEGF siRNA and incubated with hucMSC-exosomes, and quantitative analysis of EdU incorporation assay showed that the enhanced proliferative ability induced by hucMSC-exosomes was abolished by VEGF siRNA. g HUVECs were transfected with VEGF siRNA and incubated with hucMSC-exosomes. The quantitative analysis of scratched wound assay showed that the enhanced migratory ability induced by hucMSC-exosomes was abolished by VEGF siRNA. h HUVECs were transfected with VEGF siRNA and incubated with hucMSC-exosomes, and quantitative analysis of Transwell assays showed that the enhanced migratory ability induced by hucMSC-exosomes was abolished by VEGF siRNA. VEGF siRNA, 100 nM; hucMSC-exosomes, 50 μg/ml. The results are presented as the mean ± SD, n = 3 for each group. An asterisk represents statistically significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Number sign represents statistically significant difference compared with the hucMSC-exosomes + VEGF siRNA group (P < 0.05)