Fig. 4.

Silencing microRNA 21 in vivo ameliorates fibrosis and albuminuria in the kidney. (A) Panels of normal and diseased kidney showing detection of Cy3 tagged anti-miR given by a single IP injection (20mg/kg) 7 days previously, and co-labeled for pericytes/myofibroblasts with anti-Pdgfrβ antibodies (green). Note intense red color in epithelium but also in vascular and perivascular cells (arrowheads) [g=glomerulus]. Prevention Study (panels B-F): (B-C) Low power images (B) and morphometric quantification (C) of sirius red stained kidneys for fibrosis at d10 of UUO model, in wild-type mice given anti-miR-21 or a control anti-miR by IP injection. (D) Q-PCR results for pathological collagen transcripts normalized to Gapdh in the UUO model. (E-F) Morphometric quantification (E) and Q-PCR (F) for collagen transcripts in kidneys subjected to unilateral IRI and given anti-miR-21 or a control anti-miR by IP injection. Reversal Study (panels G-K): (G-J) Fibrosis and collagen transcripts in mice subjected to unilateral IRI 5 days prior to delivery of anti-miR-21 or a control anti-miR by IP injection, and assessed at d14 after IRI. (K) Urinary Albumin:Creatinine ratio in mice after unilateral IRI and given anti-miR-21 or a control anti-miR by IP injection, followed at 7 days by removal of the healthy kidney and urine assessed at one day later (n= 7-16/group. * P<0.05, **P<0.01. Bar = 100μm).