Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate TNBS-induced colitis by modulating inflammatory and autoimmune responses

Figure 7 Changes in mRNA expression and colonic protein levels of Th2-related inflammatory mediators following treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. A-C: Real-time polymerase chain reaction. No significant differences in mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and GATA family of transcription factors 3 (GATA-3) were observed when compared to controls (P > 0.05). After treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-10 and GATA-3 were elevated. D, E: Flow cytometry. Colonic protein levels of IL-4 and IL-10 followed the same trend; F: Western blotting. Colonic protein level of GATA-3 followed the same trend. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs control; ^cP < 0.05, ^dP < 0.01 vs TNBS-PBS. TNBS-MSC: Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-mesenchymal stem cells; TNBS-PBS: Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-phosphate-buffered saline.