Fig. 4

The immunosuppressive effect of T-MSCs on T cell function is partially dependent on NO. (A) T-MSCs from Nos2^−/− or wild-type C57BL/6 mice were cocultured with CD3/CD28-activated C57BL/6 splenocytes, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ secretion of T cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Representative plots of IFN-γ production by T cells at different ratios. n = 4. (B) Bar graphs showed the inhibition rate of IFN-γ-producing T cells after coculture with T-MSCs and Nos2^−/− T-MSCs. (C) T-MSCs from Nos2^−/− or wild-type C57BL/6 mice were cocultured with CD3/CD28-activated C57BL/6 splenocytes, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α secretion of T cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. Representative plots of IFN-γ production by T cells at different ratios. n = 4. (D) Bar graphs showed the inhibition rate of TNF-α-producing T cells after coculture with T-MSCs and Nos2^−/− T-MSCs. (E) T-MSCs from Nos2^−/− or wild-type C57BL/6 mice were cocultured with fresh C57BL/6 splenocytes plus PMA (100 ng/mL), and the percentage of CD69 was evaluated by flow cytometry. Representative plots of CD69 expression by T cells at different ratios. n = 4. (F) Bar graphs showed the inhibition rate of T cells activation after coculture with T-MSCs and Nos2^−/− T-MSCs. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. ns, no significant difference, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001