Background
Stem cell therapy has been increasingly used in the treatment of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). Engineering stem cells, through genetic method, for optimized therapeutic outcome is a desirable strategy, which requires clear understanding of molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between stem cells and damaged kidney. The
Conclusions
HO-1 overexpression enhances therapeutic effect of MSCs in AKI, which is presumably attributed to the activation of JAK/stat3 signaling pathway.
Results
MSCs with HO-1 overexpression markedly improved the survival of the AKI mice, accompanied by decreasing of CFU, Cr BUN in serum and ATN scores. H&E staining validated that kidney tissue demonstrated morphology that was similar to normal kidney in HO-1 MSC treated group. Inflammatory factors were also reduced by HO-1 MSC treatment. Western blot analysis indicated an upregulation of key proteins in the JAK/stat3 pathway. Conclusions: HO-1 overexpression enhances therapeutic effect of MSCs in AKI, which is presumably attributed to the activation of JAK/stat3 signaling pathway.