Mesenchymal stem-derived exosomes enhance therapeutic benefits of exercise in isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia: Targeting ERK and Akt/mTOR signaling

Figure 6 Expression of molecular markers associated with cardiac remodeling. A: Anti-inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6); B: Anti-oxidative markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione); C: Protein kinase B (Akt); D: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase type 2a (SERCA2a); E: Mammalian target of rapamycin gene expression; F: Protein bands of p-ERK1/2, p-Akt, and beta-actin (internal housekeeping protein); G: The protein levels of p-ERK1/2, and p-Akt in all studied groups; H: A negative correlation between SERCA2a and MMP9; I: A strong positive correlation between MMP9 and ERK levels. Values represent means ± SD (n = 8) ^aP < 0.05, compared the control group; ^bP < 0.05, compared to ISO + MI; ^cP < 0.05, compared to MI + EXE; ^dP < 0.05, compared to in MI + MSC-EXO. TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin; MDA: Malondialdehyde; GSH: Glutathione; AKT: Protein kinase B; ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; MMP9: Matrix metalloproteinase 9; SERCA2a: Sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase type 2a; mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin; MSC-EXO: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes.