CCR7 Mediates Dendritic-Cell-Derived Exosome Migration and Improves Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction

Figures

• 

  Figure 1. Characterization of MI-DEXs. Sample of MI-DEXs examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image (A). CD63 and ALIX in MI-DEXs analyzed by Western blot analysis (B). The particle size distributions of MI-DEXs were analyzed by nanoparticle tracking, and the mode diameter was 117 nm (C). Expression of CCR7 in DEXs and MI-DEXs (D,E). n = 3–8. ELISA analysis of CCL19 and CCL21 in serum after MI (F,G). n = 5–15. Expression of CCL19 and CCL21 in the spleen after MI (H–J). n = 3–8, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.

• 

  Figure 2. CCR7 mediates MI-DEXs’ migration. Representative near-IR fluorescence images of the main organs and body after DEXs or MI-DEX injections (A). Analysis of the radiant efficiency of body, spleen, and liver (B). Representative near-IR fluorescence images of the liver and spleen after different MI-DEXs injections (C). Analysis of the radiant efficiency of the liver and spleen after different MI-DEX injections (D). n = 3, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.

• 

  Figure 3. Enhancing MI-DEXs’ migration improved cardiac function after MI. Images of MI-model mice analyzed with echocardiography in different groups (A). Analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in different groups (B). Analysis of left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) (C). Analysis of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd) (D). © Analysis of left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVID©) (E). n = 5–10. Representative images analyzed by Masson’s trichrome staining in different groups (F). Infarct thickness (mm) in different groups (G). For each section, three measurements of different parts of the infarct area were taken for analysis. Analysis of fibrosis (%) in different groups (H). n = 3–5, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.

• 

  Figure 4. MI-DEXs raised the CD4+ T cell percentage in the spleen. Representative image of CD4+ T cells analyzed by flow cytometry in the sham group (A), MI group (B), and MI-DEX group (C); FITC-CD3; APC-CD4. Analysis of the proportions of CD45+, CD3+, and CD4+ T cells (D). n = 4, * p < 0.05.

• 

  Figure 5. MI-DEXs increase anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in splenic CD4+ T cells. mRNA expression fold changes of different cytokines in different groups (A–F). n = 6–12, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001; ns, no significance.