Fig. 7.

ESC-Exos rejuvenate endothelial senescent cells through activating Nrf2. Aged HUVECs were treated with ESC-Exos or co-treated with ESC-Exos and Nrf2 inhibitor (Brusatol), while aged HUVECs without treatment were set as control. a Western blot analysis of Total Nrf2, Nuclear Nrf2, HO1, P21, and P16 protein levels. b, c SA-β-gal kit was used to evaluate the SA-β-gal activity and percentages of SA-β-gal-positive cells were quantified. n = 3 per group. ***P < 0.001 Aged-Exos versus Aged group; ^###P < 0.001 Aged-Exos-Brusatol versus Aged-Exos group. Scale bar, 50 μm. d IF staining against P16 was performed to assess the expression level of P16. n = 3 per group. Scale bar, 50 μm. e ROS levels were determined by green fluorescent intensity after cells were labeled with DCFH-DA. n = 3 per group. Scale bar, 50 μm