Figure 3.

Enhanced migration of ASCs following exposure to stressed RPE-CM corresponds to SDF-1 and CXCR4 upregulation in RPE and ASCs, respectively. The migratory ability of ASCs was studied by scratch assay after exposure to stressed RPE-CM (RPE treated with H₂O₂) or to controls comprising ASCs exposed to RPE-CM (RPE cultured without H₂O₂) and non-CM (nonconditioned ADSC medium). (a) ASCs were monitored at 0 and 24 hours postscratch (×10 magnification). (b) Quantification of ASCs' migration by counting invasive cells in scratch boundaries. All scratch assays were performed in quadruplicates, and images were taken at the beginning of the treatments (time zero) and after 24 h (H₂O₂ treatments). ASCs and RPE cells were harvested and mRNA levels were analyzed using RT-PCR. (c) SDF-1 mRNA in RPE cells incubated with or without H₂O₂. (d) CXCR4 mRNA in ASCs incubated with stressed RPE-CM, RPE-CM, or non-CM. CXCR4: chemokine receptor type 4; SDF-1: stromal cell-derived factor 1; RPE: retinal pigment epithelium; ASCs: adipose-derived stem cells; CM: conditioned medium.