Fig. 2

Mice treated with MSCs show reduced inflammatory markers. The pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the serum were detected by luminescence. The serum showed a significant increase in IL-6 (a) and TNF-α (b) in the sepsis group compared with the levels in the sham group. A significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 was observed in the sepsis + mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) group compared with the levels in the sepsis group. Furthermore, the serum showed a significant increase in IL-10 (c) in the sepsis group compared with the levels in the sham group, and a greater increase in the sepsis + MSC group when compared with the septic group. Data represent the mean ± SEM, n = 10. ^### p < 0.001, versus sham group; **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, versus sepsis group