Preclinical studies have shown that MSCs can secrete cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, TGF- β and other cytokines against the early inflammatory environment of AKI (Bassi et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2012), differentiate into pericyte-like cells and promote angiogenesis and renal vascular perfusion by secreting vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 and hepatocyte growth factor (Ball et al., 2007; Imberti et al., 2007; Au et al., 2008; Sanz et al., 2008). Here, IGF1 is linked to acute kidney injury.