Fig. 2

bmMDEs reverse β-cell dedifferentiation. a Paraffin-embedded sections from control + PBS, T2DM + PBS, and T2DM + bmMDE rats were immunolabeled for insulin along with mature β-cell markers (PDX1, FOXO1) and islet progenitor cells (NGN3, OCT4) (scale bar 20 μm). b Fluorescent-intensity expression analysis of the above indicators. c GSIS assays to determine insulin secretion of islets isolated from the indicated groups. RT-qPCR analyses for Pdx1, Foxo1, Ngn3, and Oct4 in islets (d) isolated from the indicated groups. Insulin secretion in islets (e) of control + PBS, HG + PBS, HG + IDEs, and HG + bmMDE groups. RT-qPCR analyses for Pdx1, Foxo1, Ngn3, and Oct4 in islets (f) from the above groups. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM (^∗P < 0.05; ^∗∗P < 0.01; ^***P < 0.001)