Fig. 2

The expression patterns of CD133 in DKD rats. A The expression levels of CD133 were determined in different duration groups. The black arrows point to some of CD133-positive (CD133+) cells. Scale bar: 50 μm. B Semiquantitative analysis of CD133+ cells in kidney. C, D The protein expression levels of CD133 and vimentin in PTCs were detected by Western blotting. E Double-label immunofluorescence for CD133 (red) and aquaporin-1 (AQP1) (green) in rat kidney. Scale bar: 50 μm. F Double-label immunofluorescence for CD133 (green) and PCNA (red). G Triple-label immunofluorescence for CD133 (red), CD24 (green), and KIM-1 (white). White arrows indicate enlarged regions shown in the right panels. H Double-label immunofluorescence for CD133 (red) and vimentin (green). I Double-label immunofluorescence for CD133 (green) and SOX9 (red). Scale bar: 20 μm. Immunofluorescence staining was performed in 12-week DKD rats. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 versus the Sham group; ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01 versus the DKD group; ns: indicates nonsignificant