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

Figure 8 Changes in mRNA expression and colonic protein levels of Th17-related inflammatory mediators following treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. A-C: Real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed a significant increase in mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A and retinoid related orphan receptor gamma(t) (RORγt) when compared to controls (P < 0.01). After treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the levels of the above cytokines were reduced (P < 0.01); D, E: Flow cytometry. The same changes in colonic protein levels of IL-6 and IL-17A were further confirmed; F: Western blotting. The same changes in colonic protein levels of RORγt were further confirmed. ^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.