Fig. 7

The absence of ADAM19 expression can reverse the effect of TGF-β1 on the epithelial–myofibroblast transdifferentiation (EMT) and inflammation of HK-2 cells. A ADAM19 protein levels were measured by western blotting in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells after si-ADAM19 transfection (n = 3). B The morphology of TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells returned to normal after si-ADAM19 transfection (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 si-ADAM19 transfection in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells (n = 3). 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 si-ADAM19 transfection in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells (n = 3). E The statistical results of protein expression (n = 3). *P < 0.05. 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