Fig. 5

miR-335-5p overexpression can reverse the effect of TGF-β1 on the epithelial–myofibroblast transdifferentiation (EMT) and inflammation of HK-2 cells. A miR-335-5p expression was measured by RT-qPCR in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells after miR-335-5p mimic transfection (n = 3). B The shape of TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells returned to a normal HK-2 cell morphology after transfection in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells (n = 3). C The protein levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were decreased whereas the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased after transfection in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells. D The protein levels of collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, vimentin, and N-cadherin in TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells were decreased, whereas those of E-cadherin were increased, after miR-335-5p mimic transfection in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells (n = 3). E The statistical results of protein expression (n = 3). (*P < 0.05, vs NC mimic group). In exosome group, HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h and then TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells were treated one-time 40 µg protein-equivalent of transfected-hucMSC-derived exosomes for 24 h. All statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons post hoc test