Fig. 3: Therapeutic effects of hPMSCs in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model.

A Study design for colitis induction and hPMSC transplantation. B Body weight curve of control, DSS, and DSS + MSC groups throughout the experiments (n = 5 in each group). C Gross view of colons for each group (n = 5 in each group). D Colon length was measured for each group (n = 3 in the DSS group; n = 5 in the control and DSS + MSC group). E Representative TUNEL images (10×, scale bar, 250 µm), H&E images (5×, scale bar, 500 µm), immunohistochemical images of MPO (10×, scale bar, 250 µm) of terminal ileum section of each group. F Quantitative analysis of TUNEL (measured in 5 random views per mouse). G Histologic scores (n = 5 in each group). H Positive area of MPO expression. The positive areas of MPO were measured in five random views per mouse for quantitative analysis. I WB was performed for Cldn1 and Cldn2 from the colon tissues of each group (experiment performed in triplicate). J Gene expression levels of Cldn1 and Cldn2 (five mice in each group). Results were presented as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. After cell transplantation, body weight loss was slower, colons were longer, colon inflammation was alleviated, the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and apoptotic cells decreased, and the intestinal barrier was restored.