Intravenous Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces the Number of Infiltrated Ly6C⁺ Cells but Enhances the Proportions Positive for BDNF, TNF-1α, and IL-1β in the Infarct Cortices of dMCAO Rats

Figure 4

MSC treatment reduces the quantity of Ly6C⁺ cells but increases the proportion that produces IL-1β at day 2. (a–d) Distribution of Ly6C⁺ and IL-1β⁺ cells in the infarct before MSC treatment. (e–h) Distribution of Ly6C⁺ and IL-1β⁺ cells in the infarct after MSC treatment. (a, e) Ly6C staining. (b, f) IL-1β staining. (c, g) DAPI nucleus staining. (d) Double-stained Ly6C⁺/IL-1β⁺ cells scattered in the infarct area 2 days after dMCAO. (h) Ly6C⁺/IL-1β⁺ cells in the infarct area 2 days after MSC transplantation. (i) The magnified image of the square in (d). (j) The magnified image of the square in (h). (k) Ly6C⁺ cell number was reduced in the infarct area 2 days after MSC transplantation, but the quantity of IL-1β⁺ cells and IL-1β⁺/Ly6C⁺ cells was increased in the infarct area. (l) The percentage of Ly6C/IL-1β double-positive cells among the whole Ly6C⁺ cells was increased by MSC treatment. ( and , as compared with the ischemia vehicle group). Arrow: double-labeled cells. ; scale bar: (a–h) 250 μm and (i, j) 50 μm.