(a) Schematic diagram depicts the animal study design. (b)
Representative fluorescent micrographs of red fluorescent dye PKH26-labelled
BMDC (red) prior to infusion (bar=100μm). (c) Representative fluorescent
micrographs show engraftment of PKH26+ BMDC (red) in renal
interstitia and glomeruli, marked by podocin staining (green), in recipient mice
14 days after NTS injury (Scale bar=100μm). (d) Proteinuria was estimated
by the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios (uACR). (e) Kidney function was
assessed by measuring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in sera.
*P<0.05 by analysis of variance.
aP<0.05 versus NTS-injured mice treated
with e/e BMDC and Vehicle (Veh) gel or with WT BMDC and repository corticotropin
injection (RCI); bP<0.05 versus NTS-injured
mice treated with e/e BMDC and RCI; cP<0.05
versus NTS-injured mice treated with e/e BMDC and Veh or with WT BMDC and
pan-melanocortin receptor agonist [Nle, DPhe]-α-MSH (NDP-MSH) or MC1R
agonist MS05 (custom-made peptide, GL Biochem);
dP<0.05 versus NTS-injured mice treated with
e/e BMDC and NDP-MSH; (n=6). CFA, complete Freund’s adjuvant; q.o.d.,
every other day; s.c., subcutaneous. To optimize viewing of this image, please
see the online version of this article at www.kidney-international.org.