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Fig. 4 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 4

From: IL-6 coaxes cellular dedifferentiation as a pro-regenerative intermediate that contributes to pericardial ADSC-induced cardiac repair

Fig. 4

Characterization of ADSCgfp+-induced cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation. A Immunostaining with cardiac troponin T (cTnT) of the heart Sects. (5 dpi) illustrated endocardial and sub-epicardial location of surviving cardiomyocytes, while a few cTnT positive cells within the infarcted myocardium in the ADSCgfp−-treated hearts (left panel). In the ADSCgfp+-treated hearts (right panel), however, a significant amount of small, round shape of cTnT-positive cells were found within the infarct area, locating mainly at the site of injection (arrow). These cells situated within the infarcted area in a cluster pattern and typically exhibited marginalization of cTnT (dedifferentiation). B In each section of the ADSCgfp+-injected hearts, about 300 dedifferentiated (dedi) cells were detected (n = 6), while only half dedi cells were found in ADSCgfp−-treated hearts (n = 5). C The partial dedi-CM displayed intercellular expression of Vimentin (Vimen, indicated by asterisk). D The dedi cells retained the expression of cardiac fingerprint (Nkx2.5) and concomitantly stem cells marker (RunX1). E Representative immunostaining showed the dedi cells expressed ki-67 as a marker of cell cycle reentry, pH3 as mitotic activity and TEAD1 as downstream activation of YAP signaling. F Quantitative analysis of the ADSCgfp+-treated hearts (n = 8) revealed all dedi cardiomyocytes (dedi-CM) retained cardiac marker, partially gained mesenchymal properties and, in small fraction, proliferative activity, while those markers were almost absent in mature cardiomyocytes (mat-CM). **p < 0.01 compared to the ADSCgfp−-injected hearts in B and p < 0.01 compared to mat-CM in F

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