Apoptotic and proliferating tubular cells in kidneys from TLR2^+/+ (□) and TLR2^−/− (▪) mice 3, 7, and 14 days after UUO or in contralateral kidneys.

<p>The number of apoptotic (t = 7) tubular cells and proliferating (t = 14) cells were significantly lower in kidneys from TLR2^−/− mice compared to kidneys from TLR2^+/+ animals as counted in 10 randomly selected high-power fields. Cells were counted on renal tissue sections stained for active caspase-3 (apoptosis) and Ki67 (proliferation). Due to severe tubular atrophy, it is impossible to identify apoptotic TECs after 14 days. Therefore we analyzed at this time point the total amount of apoptotic cells (both interstitial cells and tubular cells). Data are mean and SEM of six mice per group, *p<0.05.