The effect of mesenchymal stem cells on macrophage gene expression.

A. To characterise rat MSCs, these cells were differentiated into adipocytes and osteogenic cells. The undifferentiated MSCs are shown in light microscopy. Scale bars: 50 µM. B. Oil-red-0 and alizarin Red S staining of WKY MSC-derived adipocytes and osteogenic cells (left panel). Adiponectin expression assessed by qRT-PCR (right panel). **P<0.001. Scale bars: 50 µM. C. qRT-PCR measurement of M1 (Mmp12, Ccl2) and M2 markers (Mrc1 and Il10) in LEW BMDMs incubated with either WKY MC or MSC supernatant. Note the opposite effect of MC and MSC supernatants on Mmp12, Mrc1 and Il10 expression in LEW BMDMs. **P<0.001, the results are representative of two independent experiments, n = 4 rats/strain used per experiment.