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 5

MSC increases the proportion of Ly6C⁺ cells coexpressing TNF-α in the ischemia core of the cortex at day 2. (a–d) Distribution of Ly6C⁺ and TNF-α⁺ cells in the infarct area before MSC treatment. (e–h) Distribution of Ly6C⁺ and TNF-α⁺ cells in the infarct area after MSC treatment. (a, e) Ly6C staining. (b, f) TNF-α staining. (c, g) DAPI nucleus staining. (d) Double-stained Ly6C⁺/TNF-α⁺ cells scattered in the infarct area 2 days after dMCAO. (h) Ly6C⁺/TNF-α⁺ 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) The quantities of Ly6C⁺, TNF-α⁺, and TNF-α⁺/Ly6C⁺ double-positive cells were increased in the infarct area. (l) The percentage of TNF-α⁺/Ly6C⁺ double-positive cells among the entire 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, (i, j) 50 μm.