Fig. 4

Effects of SDF-1 Knockdown in MSC on Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and Vascular Remodeling in Experimental BPD. a IT MSC-NS control significantly decreased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in hyperoxic animals. SDF-1 knockdown reduced the beneficial effects of MSC on PH. (*P < 0.05; normoxia vs. hyperoxia-placebo, ** P < 0.05; hyperoxia-placebo vs hyperoxia MSC-NS control, † P < 0.05; hyperoxia MSC-NS control vs. hyperoxia MSC-SDF KD; N = 9–20/group). b No significant differences in the RV/LV + S (weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle and septum) between the MSC treated groups (*P < 0.05; normoxia vs. hyperoxia-placebo, ** P < 0.05; hyperoxia-placebo vs hyperoxia MSC-NS control or hyperoxia MSC-SDF KD; N = 15–20/group). c Lung sections stained with α-smooth muscle actin (red) demonstrating decreased vascular remodeling in hyperoxia-exposed pups treated with IT MSC-NS control or IT MSC-SDF KD. Original magnification X 400. Scale bars are 50 μm. d No significant differences in the medial wall thickness (%) between the MSC-NS control and MSC-SDF KD treated groups (*P < 0.05; normoxia vs. hyperoxia-placebo, ** P < 0.05; hyperoxia-placebo vs hyperoxia MSC-NS control or hyperoxia MSC-SDF KD; N = 5–7/group).White bars are RA and black bars are hyperoxia