Figure 8

Stellate cells and myofibroblasts activation in CCl ₄ -treated mice with and without UCMSCs transplantation. (A) Co-staining alpha-SMA/desmin in CCl₄-treated mice. A conspicuous number of alpha-SMA (smooth muscle actin) positive cells expressed also desmin identifying them as stellate cells. Alpha-SMA single positive cells were myofibroblasts. At day 8 both cellular types were significantly decreased. (B) Co-staining alpha-SMA/desmin in CCl₄-treated mice that had undergone UCMSCs transplantation. Both at day 5 and 8 no positive cells for alpha-SMA except vascular smooth muscle cells were detected. Few desmin positive cells were visible. (C) Co-staining alpha-SMA/nestin in CCl₄-treated mice. Localization and quantity of double positive cells were comparable to alpha-SMA/desmin positive cells confirming stellate cells identity. The images inside the white square represent a zoomed detail (see higher magnification on Additional file 3: Figure S3). Scale bar: 100 μm.