Galectin-3 Derived from HucMSC Exosomes Promoted Myocardial Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Differentiation Associated with <i>β</i>-catenin Upregulation
Qinyu Guo, Yuanyuan Zhao, Jiejie Li, Chao‐Yuan Huang, Hua Wang, Xiangdong Zhao, Mei Wang, Wei Zhu
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Galectin-3 promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and facilitates injury repair. Previous studies have shown that exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSC-ex) promote the differentiation of myocardial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts under inflammatory environment. Whether hucMSC-ex derived Galectin-3 (hucMSC-ex-Galectin-3) plays an important role in fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation is the focus of this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: -catenin. HucMSC-ex also reduced the migration and promoted the contractility of fibroblasts. However, hucMSC-si-ex did not show these activities. CONCLUSIONS: -catenin levels.