Figure 2.

LEF1 Overexpression Protects hUCB-MSCs from Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis

(A) Microscopy demonstrated that oxidative stress-caused cell death was attenuated by LEF1 overexpression. Scale bars, 100 μm. (B) Quantification of reduced cell death in LEF1 overexpression under oxidative stress condition. **p < 0.01. (C) Drastic increase in Bcl-2 and decrease in Bax expression in LEF1-overexpressing hUCB-MSCs were observed by western blot. (D and E) Image analysis confirmed the significant changes of Bax (D) and Bcl-2 (E) expression in LEF1-overexpressing hUCB-MSCs. (F) Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis using PI and Annexin V successfully presented increased apoptotic cell populations (Q2) under H₂O₂ treatment in hUCB-MSCs (top right), but less cells were dead in LEF1-expressing hUCB-MSCs (bottom right). (G) Reduced apoptosis triggered by H₂O₂ in LEF1 transfection. **p < 0.01.