Fig. 2

Coadministration of pimecrolimus and hUCB-MSCs inhibits the regulatory effect of hUCB-MSCs on skin inflammation in Df-induced AD mice. a–d Experimental AD was induced in mice, and skin samples were collected on day 27 for further ex vivo examinations. a Representative images of H&E-stained sections, Bar = 100 μm. b Representative images of toluidine blue-stained sections, Bar = 100 μm. c Epidermal thickness of the dorsal skin was measured in H&E-stained sections. d The number of mast cells was measured in toluidine blue-stained sections. e The levels of IgE in mouse sera were determined using an ELISA. NC: negative control group, PC: positive control group (Df-induced group), Pimecrolimus: Df-induction + pimecrolimus, MSC: Df-induction + hUCB-MSCs, MSC + Pime.: Df-induction + hUCB-MSCs + Pimecrolimus. N = 3–5 mice per group. The Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc test was used to compare other groups with Df-induced group c–e n.s: not significant, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01. The results are presented as the means ± SD