Fig. 1: Iron overload impaired the functions of MSCs via up-regulating ROS levels.

a, b The percentage of apoptotic MSCs was tested by Annexin V/PI dual staining and cell viability of MSCs was evaluated by a haemocytometer at 24, 48 and 72 h of culture. c Representative confocal images of the mitochondrial morphology in MSCs after incubation with FAC, FAC + DFO, FAC + NAC, FAC + Catalase or not. Mitochondria were visualized using an antibody to TOM20. Scale bars, 0.5 μm. d Western blotting results of LC3, Beclin-1, ATG5 and ATG7 in MSCs before and after adding FAC at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48h of culture. e Western blotting results of LC3, Beclin-1, ATG5 and ATG7 in MSCs before and after adding FAC, FAC + DFO, FAC + NAC or FAC + Catalase. The results were presented as mean ± SD from at least three independent experiments. ***p ≤ 0.001