Fig. 1

Transplantation of photoactivated ASCs improves glucose homeostasis. A Schematic timeline of ASCs transplantation model. Mice were fed HFD for 16 weeks, followed by transplantation of light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, or hydrogel alone into right EAT (EAT-R) for 10 weeks. B An experimental strategy to examine the effects of ASCs in vivo. In two EATs from each HFD recipient mouse, one EAT-R was locally injected with either light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, or hydrogel alone, whereas the controlateral EAT (EAT-L) was injected with vehicle (PBS). C, E, G Blood glucose levels and D, F, H areas under the curve during the GTT in HFD mice that received light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, or hydrogel alone at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation, respectively. n = 6–8 per group; *p < 0.05 vs. hydrogel alone; **p < 0.05 vs. non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel and hydrogel alone; and ^#p > 0.05 vs. hydrogel alone. I, K, M Blood glucose levels and J, L, N areas under the curve during the ITT in HFD mice that received light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel, or hydrogel alone at 3, 5, and 8 weeks after implantation, respectively. n = 6–8 per group; *p < 0.05 vs. non-light-treated ASCs+hydrogel and hydrogel alone; and ^#p > 0.05 vs. hydrogel alone. EAT, epididymal adipose tissue