Notably, i) a single injection of BM-MSCs-eRLX + GFP (× 1) ameliorated the HS-induced KIM-1-associated tubular damage, TNF-α, interstitial fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis and pSmad2 levels, and significantly promoted MMP-9 and MMP-2 activity to an equivalent extent as once-weekly administration of BM-MSCs-eRLX + GFP (× 2), 14-days after being injected; and ii) all BM-MSC-based therapies reduced the HS-induced interstitial kidney fibrosis to a greater extent than perindopril (Fig. 5L). Here, MMP9 is linked to glomerulosclerosis.