Figure 5. Molecular signs of podocytopathy in LPS-injured mice are ameliorated by NDP-MSH via an MC1R independent mechanism.

MC1R^e/e mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were treated as stated in Fig. 4. (a) Kidney cortical tissues were procured at 24 h and processed for fluorescent immunohistochemistry staining for indicated molecules or TUNEL staining for apoptotic cells (white arrowheads). Scale bar = 20 μm. SYNPO, synaptopodin; (b) Absolute counting of the numbers of podocytes positive for both TUNEL and WT-1 as the means of 20 glomeruli. ^#P < 0.01 vs control group (n = 6); *P < 0.05 vs LPS group (n = 6). (c) Glomeruli were isolated from the excised kidneys by the magnetic beads based approach and prepared for immunoblot analysis for indicated molecules.