Fig. 3

ADSC-Exos promote the proliferation, migration, and tenogenic differentiation of TSCs via the SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/9 signaling pathways. a–c Western blot analysis of protein levels of p-SMAD2/3 and p-SMAD1/5/9 induced by different concentrations of ADSC-Exos. d–f SB431542 and dorsomorphin inhibit the activation of SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/9 induced by ADSC-Exos, respectively. g, h EdU assay showed that ADSC-Exos-mediated TSC proliferation was suppressed by inhibitors SB431542 and dorsomorphin. i–l Transwell assay and scratch assays showed that ADSC-Exos-mediated TSC migration was suppressed by inhibitors SB431542 and dorsomorphin. m–p Western blot analysis of protein levels of TNMD, collagen I, and SCXA promoted by ADSC-Exos was inhibited by inhibitors SB431542 and dorsomorphin. Bars, 100 μm. Data are represented as mean ± SD. *vs control group; ^#vs ADSC-Exos group; n = 3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001, ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001, ^####P < 0.0001