Fig. 3

UC-MSCs shift macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype. a Relative mRNA expression of iNOS and ARG1 in the kidney from DN rats with or without UC-MSC administration, n = 5–8 rats/group. b Relative protein expression of iNOS and ARG1 in the kidney, n = 3 rats/group. c Representative immunofluorescence staining for the macrophage marker F4/80 (red) and ARG1 (green) colocalization in the kidney from DN rats with or without UC-MSC administration, Scale bar: 20 µm. d RAW264.7 cell were stimulated with LPS/IFN-γ and treated with UC-MSC- conditioned medium (UC-MSC-CM) to explore the effect of UC-MSC-CM on regulation of macrophage polarization in vitro. Relative mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage markers including iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, TRAF6, ARG1, and IL-10. e Relative protein expression and semi-quantitative analysis of M1/M2 macrophage markers (iNOS and ARG1) in RAW264.7. Data presented as mean ± SD of individuals included in each group. Results in vitro are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01