Figure 4.
UC-MSCs inhibit renal pyroptosis through the NLRP3/Caspase1 signaling pathway in vivo. (a–c) Representative graphs of kidney sections with immunohistochemistry staining for NLRP3, Caspase1, and IL-1β. Scale bar, 50 μm. (d, e) The protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase1, GSDMD, and IL-1β were measured by western blot in the control, DN, and DN+UC-MSC groups. (f) RT-PCR analysis of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase1, IL-1β, and IL-18 mRNA expressions in the control, DN, and DN+UC-MSC groups. Data are expressed as means ± SD. ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups. ∗p < 0.05 and ∗∗p < 0.01.