Fig. 2

MSCs facilitate the upregulation of choline ChAT and VAChT expression in injured lungs. a Heatmap showing neurotransmitter synthesis/transport-related genes expression levels in each group. Genes were ranked according to fold changes in expression between the PBS and MSC treatment group. The expression values of the genes were normalized to the Z score before the heatmap was generated; n = 3. Relative mRNA expression (b) and protein levels (c) of ChAT and VAChT in MSCs from each group. Representative immunohistochemical staining (d) and quantification (e) of ChAT (left) or VAChT (right) pixel intensity; scale bars, 100 μm; n = 4. Representative confocal images (f) of lung sections from different groups stained for MSCs (green) and ChAT (red; upper) or VAChT (white; lower). DAPI staining showed the cell nuclei (blue). Scale bars, 100 μm. Quantification (g) of the percentage of ChAT (left) or VAChT (right) pixel intensity; n = 4. h LC-MS/MS was used to detect BALF and serum ACh concentrations; n = 6. i Representative plots of α7nAChR expression by macrophages; n = 3. j Relative mRNA expression of CXCL15, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in macrophages; LPS (10 μg/ml) and/or ACh (1 mM) were used to stimulate macrophages. n = 6