Fig. 9From: Rejuvenated endothelial progenitor cells through overexpression of cellular prion protein effectively salvaged the critical limb ischemia in rats with preexisting chronic kidney diseaseThe protein expressions of apoptotic and fibrotic biomarkers and PrPc in ischemic quadriceps muscle by day 42 after CKD induction. A Protein expression of mitochondrial Bax (Mit-Bax), * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. B Protein expression of cleaved caspase 3 (c-Casp3), * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. C Protein expression of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (c-PARP), * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. D Protein expression of phosphorylated (p)-Smad3, * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. E Protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. F Protein expression of cellular prion protein (PrPc), * versus other groups with different symbols (†, ‡, §, ¶), p < 0.0001. All statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison post hoc test (n = 6 for each group). Symbols [(*, †, ‡, §, ¶) indicate significance (at 0.05 level). SC = sham-operated control; CKD = chronic kidney disease; CLI = critical limb ischemia; EPCs = endothelial progenitor cells; PrPcOE-EPCs = overexpression of cellular prion protein in EPCs; and siPrnp-EPCs = knockdown of cellular prion protein in EPCsBack to article page