Sclerostin-silenced human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate bone metabolism in steroid-induced femoral head necrosis

Figure 4 Sclerostin inhibitor-silenced human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit the formation of adipose tissue in mice with steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Histological and molecular analysis of femoral heads. A-D: Hematoxylin and eosin staining of: Sham, SAN + NS, SAN + hUCMSCs (MSCs), and SAN + SOSTi-hUCMSCs (sh-MSCs) groups; E: Quantification of empty bone pits; F: Representative western blot; G and H: Protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (G) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (H), showing lowest levels in sham, highest in SAN, with sh-MSCs < MSCs < SAN. Statistical comparisons: ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs sham; ^cP < 0.05, ^dP < 0.01 vs SAN. C/EBP: CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins; PPARγ: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. Data represent mean ± SEM from three independent experiments.