Fig. 1.

Similarities between FSMCs and PMCs. a Expression of the α2-integrin subunit (CD49b) and c-kit was determined by flow cytometric analysis of FSMCs. More than 85% of WT FSMCs coexpressed c-kit and the α2β1 integrin. α2-null (KO) FSMCs expressed c-kit but not the α2β1 integrin. b FSMCs and PMCs are morphologically similar when examined using Wright-Giemsa staining. c WT but not α2-null (KO) FSMCs and PMCs secreted IL-6 in response to Listeria. Both WT and α2-null FSMCs and PMCs were stimulated with Listeria plus anti-Listeria antibody (LA) or Listeria plus anti-Listeria antibody and serum (LAS) for 1 h at 37°C. Cell-free supernatants were analyzed for IL-6 by ELISA. IL-6 concentrations are expressed as means ± SEM. All data are representative of at least 3 separate experiments. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01.