Peripheral Circulation and Astrocytes Contribute to the MSC-Mediated Increase in IGF-1 Levels in the Infarct Cortex in a dMCAO Rat Model

Figure 2

The distribution of Iba-1+, IGF-1+, and CD68+ cells in the striatum and corpus callosum with and without MSC infusion. (a–h) Without MSC transplantation, the distribution patterns of IGF-1+ and Iba-1+ cells in the corpus callosum are similar. (i–p) With MSC transplantation, the distribution of IGF-1+ and Iba-1+ cells in the corpus callosum. (a, i) Iba-1staining in green. (b, j) IGF-1 staining in red. (c, k) CD68 staining in white. (d, l) DAPI nuclear staining in blue merged with Iba-1, IGF-1, and CD68. (e, m) Merged image of Iba-1+ and IGF-1+. (f, n) Merged image of CD68, Iba-1, and IGF-1. Iba-1+/IGF-1+ double-positive cells could be found. (g, o) Merged image of Iba-1, IGF-1, and CD68. (g) (upper square in (f)) and (h) (lower square in (f)) The quantity of Iba-1+/IGF-1+ cells in the striatum and corpus callosum was not increased by MSC transplantation. The majority of Iba-1+/IGF-1+ double-positive cells were CD68+. (o) (left square in (n)) and (p) (right square in (n)) The difference in striatum vs. cortex was that IGF-1 expression was not limited to CD68+ cells. There were Iba-1+/IGF-1+ double-positive cells that were negative for CD68. Arrow: IGF-1, Iba-1, and CD68 triple-labeled cells; arrowhead: IGF-1+Iba-1+ double-positive but CD68 negative cells. Scale bar, 50 μm.