Mesangial cells (MCs) inhibit splenocyte proliferation.

Rat MCs were cultured until passage 5 (P5) and incubated with Con-A stimulated or non-stimulated splenocytes for 72 hours. Cell proliferation was measured by incorporation of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR). A. Co-culture of WKY MCs and splenocytes resulted in a significant decrease in ConA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation in both 1∶10 and 1∶20 ratio of MC:Splenocyte. **, P<0.001 compared with splenocytes alone. The results are representative of three independent experiments. Cpm, counts per minute B. Co-culture of LEW MCs and splenocytes resulted in a significant decrease in Con-A-stimulated splenocyte proliferation in both 1∶10 and 1∶20 ratio of MC:Splenocyte. **, P<0.001 compared to splenocytes alone. The results are representative of three independent experiments. Cpm, counts per minute.