Fig. 3

The IFN-γ and poly(I:C)-primed MSCs decreased inflammatory response in the spleen, mLN, and colon tissue. Mice with the DSS-induced colitis were sacrificed on day 9 to harvest the spleen, mLN, and colon tissues. Representative data of two independent experiments are presented (normal, n = 3; other groups, n = 4). a–c Recovered cells from the spleen and mLN were subjected to the flow cytometric analysis. The infiltration of monocytes (CD11⁺), dendritic cells (CD11c⁺), and CD4⁺ T cells significantly decreased in the primed MSC group compared to the DSS control. d Results of quantitative PCR from colon tissue demonstrated that mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) and a chemotactic factor (MCP-1) decreased significantly in the primed MSC group compared to the DSS control. In contrast, the expression of immune-modulating cytokine (IL-10) increased in the same group. e Protein is extracted from the colon tissue, and cytokine concentrations are measured by the ELISA assay (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001)