LPS-activated TC exosomes inhibit LPS-induced EC apoptosis. (a) The PKH67 (green) labeled TC exosomes were absorbed by ECs and were mainly located in cytoplasm of ECs. (b, c) LPS increases the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in ECs, and pretreatment with LPS-activated TC exosomes effectively inhibits LPS-induced caspase-3 activation. Compared with the LPS-activated TC exosomes, the normal TC exosomes have only a mild inhibitory effect on LPS-induced cleaved caspase-3 expression, and this effect is not statistically significant. (d, e) Pretreatment with LPS-activated TC exosomes effectively inhibits LPS-induced EC apoptosis. Compared to the LPS-activated TC exosomes, the normal TC exosomes have only a mild inhibitory effect on LPS-induced EC apoptosis, and this effect is not statistically significant. ^*P < .05. LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TC, telocyte; TC exo, telocyte exosomes; LPS-TC exo, lipopolysaccharide-activated telocyte exosomes; C-Caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3; con, control