Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes alleviate radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the protein kinase B/nuclear factor kappa B pathway

Figure 3 Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes ameliorated radiation induced inflammation in radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis rats. A-F: Changes in the level of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12p70, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α] of serum samples collected at different time points in three groups (n = 6); G: The total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rats at 16 weeks (n = 6); H and I: Changes in inflammatory factors (IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 16 weeks (n = 6); J: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of transforming growth factor-β1, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA levels in rat lung tissue (n = 6); K and L: Immunohistochemical staining to observe the staining intensity of transforming growth factor-β1, IL-6, IL-1β, CD3 and CD68 in rat lung tissue. ^aP < 0.05 vs control + phosphate buffered saline, ^bP < 0.01 vs control + phosphate buffered saline, ^cP < 0.001 vs control + phosphate buffered saline, ^dP < 0.0001 vs control + phosphate buffered saline, ^eP < 0.05 vs irradiation + phosphate buffered saline, ^fP < 0.01 vs irradiation + phosphate buffered saline, ^gP < 0.001 vs irradiation + phosphate buffered saline, ^hP < 0.0001 vs irradiation + phosphate buffered saline. CON: Control; IR: Irradiation; EXO: Exosomes; PBS: Phosphate buffered saline; IL: Interleukin; IFN: Interferon; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; TGF: Transforming growth factor; BALF: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.