Fig. 3

Exosomes of tubular cell origin aggravate renal fibrosis. A Experimental design. Ctrl-Exo or UA-Exo from NRK-52E cells were injected (100 µL) into Adenine-induced model mice through the tail vein twice weekly for 8 weeks. B Mice were injected with DiR-labeled exosomes from NRK-52E cells via the tail vein. Fluorescent images of organs were acquired using an IVIS Spectrum Small Animal Optical Imaging System. Fluorescence luminescence of the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys was assessed 12 h after injection. C, D Representative western blots (C) and quantitative data (D) of CD63, Hsp70, and TSG101 in the kidneys of model mice after injecting Ctrl-Exo or UA-Exo (n = 6). *p < 0.05 versus Sham, #p < 0.05 versus Ctrl-Exo. E, F Representative western blots (E) and quantitative data (F) of Col-III, α-SMA, FN, and E-cad in the kidneys of model mice injected with Ctrl-Exo or UA-Exo (n = 6). *p < 0.05 versus Sham, #p < 0.05 versus Ctrl-Exo. G, H H&E and Masson’s staining. Representative micrographs (G) and quantitative data (H) are presented (n = 6). Scale bars = 50 μm. *p < 0.05 versus Sham, #p < 0.05 versus Ctrl-Exo. I, J Representative immunofluorescence micrographs (I) and quantitative data (J) show Col-III, α-SMA, FN, and E-cad expression (n = 6). Scale bars = 50 μm. *p < 0.05 versus Sham, #p < 0.05 versus Ctrl-Exo