Fig. 1
Effects of MSC on T-cell proliferation and function. In PBMC in resting conditions (N.A.) or after activation via αCD3/αCD28 mAb, we assessed the mRNA expression of IFNγ by qPCR a and cell proliferation by 3H-TdR incorporation b in the absence or in the presence of MSC for all PBMC/MSC ratios (20:1, 10:1, and 4:1), either in CC (squared bars) or in TW (solid colored bars) condition. In activated CD3+ lymphocytes we assessed both the mRNA expression c and secretion d of IFNγ in the absence or in the presence of MSC at all CD3/MSC ratios (20:1, 10:1, and 4:1) in TW. Cluster formation of CD3+ lymphocytes was assessed by light microscopy e. Images were acquired after 2-day stimulation of CD3+ lymphocytes with plate-bound αCD3/αCD28 in the absence or in the presence of MSC (CD3/MSC 4:1 ratio) in TW (20× magnification). Clusters are marked with arrows. PCR data (mean ± SD) are reported as fold induction with respect to controls after normalization for GAPDH mRNA. Significant differences are denoted by symbols on bars: activated vs. N.A. cells, *p ≤0.01, **p ≤0.001, ***p ≤0.0001; MSC-treated vs. MSC-untreated cells, $p ≤0.01, $$p ≤0.001, $$$p ≤0.0001. IFNγ interferon, MSC mesenchymal stem cells, PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells