Ameliorating liver fibrosis in an animal model using the secretome released from miR-122-transfected adipose-derived stem cells

Figure 4 Immunohistochemical staining showing the effects of MCM on the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers in the livers. A, B: Upon comparing immunohistochemical staining patterns, MCM infusion led to higher expression of PCNA (an inflammatory marker), albumin, and TIMP-1 (an antifibrotic marker) A, and lower expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, and MMP1 (fibrotic markers) B in the livers of TAA-treated mice. Percentages of immunoreactive areas were measured using NIH image J and expressed as relative values to those in normal livers. Magnification × 400. Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. ^aP < 0.05 vs Ct (TAA). ^cP < 0.05 between TAA + NCM and TAA + MCM. α-SMA: Alpha-smooth muscle actin; Ct: Control; CM: The secretome obtained from ASCs after 48-h-incubation; MCM: The secretome released from miR-122-transfected ASCs; MMP-1: Metalloproteinases-1; PCNA: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; TAA: Thioacetamide; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β; TIMP-1: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.