Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by TGF-β1-Treated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Fracture Healing by SCD1-Regulated Transference of LRP5

Figure 3

Transplanting MSC^TGF-β1-EVs promotes bone fracture repair in mice. (a) Representative radiograph images of the femur fracture model in mice 21 d postfracture from the PBS, MSC^TGF-β1-EV, and MSC^PBS-EV groups, . (b) Representative 3D images from micro-CT scanning of the femur fracture model in mice on day 21 postfracture from the different groups, . (c) Detection of changes in the ultimate load, stiffness, and energy to failure, . (d–f) Results of H&E, TB, and Safranin O-Fast Green staining for the femur fracture model in mice on day 21 postfracture from the PBS-, MSC^TGF-β1-EV-, and MSC^PBS-EV-exposed groups, . (g) Immunohistochemistry of CD31, α-SMA, SCD1, and LRP5 for the femur fracture model in mice 21 d postfracture from the PBS-, MSC^TGF-β1-EV-, and MSC^PBS-EV-exposed groups, . (h) Bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N, mm⁻¹), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th, mm), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp, mm), and bone mineral density (BMD) in the PBS-, MSC^TGF-β1-EV-, and MSC^PBS-EV-exposed groups at 21 d, . Data are expressed as ; and . ns: no significance; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells; EVs: extracellular vesicles.