Fig. 5
IL-10 neutralization attenuated UC-MSC-induced alleviation of insulin resistance and macrophage polarization in epididymal adipose tissue. HFD-induced obese mice were randomly divided into the HFD group, MSC group and MSC + IL-10Ab group. The MSC group and MSC + IL-10Ab group both received UC-MSC infusions once per week for 6 weeks. During UC-MSC infusion, the MSC + IL-10Ab group and MSC group were intraperitoneally administered a neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibody or the corresponding isotype control IgG twice per week. The HFD group received PBS infusions. Mice fed a normal chow diet were used as controls (referred to as the Nor group). One week after the last infusion of UC-MSCs, the mice were sacrificed. a Weight of the mice. b Random blood glucose levels of the mice. c The fasting glucose levels after the last infusion of UC-MSCs were detected. The HOMA-IR score was calculated (d). After the last infusion of UC-MSCs, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were assessed by an IPGTT (e) and IPITT (f), respectively. g Weight of epididymal adipose tissue. h Representative H&E staining of epididymal adipose tissue from the Nor, HFD, MSC and MSC + IL-10Ab groups. Scale bar = 100 μm. i The size of adipocytes was evaluated via digital image analysis. j Immunoblotting analysis of p-AKT and total AKT expression in epididymal adipose tissue; the ratios of p-AKT to total AKT were quantitated. k Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of macrophage phenotype-related gene expression in epididymal adipose tissue. l Representative Fizz1-positive cells and iNOS-positive cells in epididymal adipose tissue analysed by immunofluorescence and quantification of Fizz1-positive or iNOS-positive cells. Scale bar = 50 μm. Values in l were determined by assessing cells manually from at least five sections of each slide, at least 3 slides per mouse, and at least 6 mice per group. Values of a–h are the means ± SDs; n = 6 mice per group; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01