Fig. 1.

Schematic diagram of experimental design. a BMSCs were collected and infected with adenoviral vector carrying the ILK gene sequence. The expression levels of ILK and its downstream protein were detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, and ELISA. Cell adhesion assay and CCK-8 assay were also conducted. b Rats in DM group and control group (n = 10 per group) accepted PBS injection, and the other three experimental groups accepted pure BMSCs or gene-modified BMSCs (n = 16 per group). c After cell injection, diabetic rats in experimental groups (BMSC group, Ad-null-BMSC group, and Ad-ILK-BMSC group) (2 rats per group each time) were sacrificed for the bladder tissue on the third day, 7th day, and 14th day, respectively. The angiogenesis in the bladder wall was evaluated using western blot and immunofluorescence staining. d At 4 weeks after treatment, all rats in five groups accepted urodynamic studies to evaluate bladder function. e After urodynamic studies, the bladders were dissected and used for histological and immunohistochemical staining