Fig. 5

Knockdown of EGF in SF-MSC reduces the renoprotective effects in CIN model mice. A Graph showing the knockdown efficiency of EGF siRNA in SF-MSCs (n = 7 in each group). B Serum levels of BUN and Cr (n = 5 in each group). C Representative hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining image and tubular injury score of the kidney (n = 3 in sham, n = 5 in other groups). Ten high magnification fields (×200) of the renal cortex and cortico-medullary junction were randomly selected from each mouse. The extent of degeneration and detachment of tubular cells was scored. Scale bar: 100 µm. Data are means ± S.D. ^#P < 0.01, *P < 0.05 (one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey–Kramer’s post-hoc test)