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

Figure 6

MSC treatment reduces the number of infiltrated Ly6C+ cells that express IGF-1. (a–d) In the ischemia control group, Ly6C+ and Ly6C+/IGF-1+ cells were mainly located in the infarct areas. The quantity of Ly6C+ cells that expressed IGF-1 in the ischemia core cortex of the control brain was very small. (e–h) After MSC infusion, the distribution of Ly6C+ and IGF-1+ cells was still restricted in the infarct area of the ipsilateral cortex. MSC infusion reduced the quantity of Ly6C+ cells infiltrated into the brain and decreased the percentage of Ly6C+ cells that coexpressed IGF-1. (a, e) IGF-1 staining. (b, f) Ly6C staining. (c, g) DAPI nuclear staining. (d, h) Double-stained Ly6C+/IGF-1+ cells. (i) (inset in (d)) In the inner infarct boundary zone of the ischemia group, the amplified view of Ly6C+/IGF-1+ cells. (j) (inset in (h)) In the MSC transplantation group, the amplified view of Ly6C+/IGF-1+ cells. (k) The histogram of Ly6C+/IGF-1+ cell quantity and percentages in the ischemia group and MSC transplantation group (, , compared with the ischemia vehicle group). Arrow: Ly6C+/IGF-1+ double-labeled cells. Scale bar, 50 μm.