Fig. 2
Immunosuppressive function of hMSC in corneal transplantation model. A Allogeneic (C57BL/6 to Balb/c) and isogenic (Balb/c to Balb/c) corneal transplantations were performed on day 0 and hMSCs were administrated. Graft-bearing corneas were observed every other day after suture removal. Mice were randomly selected and sacrificed on day 15 and the corneal was obtained for H&E (n = 3) and immunofluorescence stain (n = 3). B: Kaplan–Meier survival curves of isografts and allografts treated with 5 × 105 hMSCs in 100 μl PBS or equal PBS by intravenous (IV) route (n = 8 each group). C Kaplan–Meier survival curves of allografts with indicated hUC-MSCs by IV or subconjunctival administration (SA). (n = 8 each group). D Kaplan–Meier survival curves of allografts with indicated hAD-MSCs by IV or SA. (n = 8 each group). E Representative slim-lamp images (front view) of graft-bearing corneas on day 15, day 25 and day 42 posttransplant. Corneal grafts were outlined by dashed circles. The neovessels in corneal allograft (white arrowheads) and graft bed (white arrows) were presented. F H&E stain of graft corneal grafts on day 15 posttransplant from mice treated as in Fig. 2E. The immune cells infiltration (black asterisks) and the areas of stromal edema (black bracket) were presented. IV: intravenous injection; PBS: phosphate buffer saline; SA subconjunctival administration. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ns not significant. Scale bar: 700 μm (original) and 300 μm (enlarged)