Isolation of allogenic ADMSCs

For preparation of ADMSCs (i.e., allogenic ADMSCs), an additional sixteen SD rats were used in the current study. The procedure and protocol of ADMSC preparation has been described in detail in our previous reports [24–26]. Briefly, adipose tissue surrounding the epididymis was carefully dissected, excised and prepared. Then, 200-300 μL of sterile saline was added to every 0.5 g of adipose tissue to prevent dehydration. The tissue was cut into < 1 mm³ size pieces using a pair of sharp, sterile surgical scissors. Sterile saline (37°C) was added to the homogenized adipose tissue in a ratio of 3:1 (saline: adipose tissue), followed by the addition of stock collagenase solution to a final concentration of 0.5 units/mL. The centrifuge tubes with the contents were placed and secured on a Thermaline shaker and incubated with constant agitation for 60 ± 15 minutes at 37°C. After step-by-step preparation [24–26], the cells were resuspended in saline. An aliquot of cell suspension was then removed for cell culture in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM)-low glucose medium containing 10% FBS for 14 days. Approximately 2-3 × 10⁶ ADMSCs were obtained from each rat. Thirty minutes prior to the transplantation procedure, the AMDSCs were labeled with dye (Cell tracker; Molecular probes: REF: {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"C34551","term_id":"2370692"}}C34551) for the purpose of identification of AMDSCs in kidney parenchyma using immunofluorescent (IF) microscopic examination.