Figure 3.

Expression levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β in SG2 cells increased by direct-contact coculture between SG2 and SCDC2 cells, whereas IL-6 expression decreased. SG2 cells were cocultured with SCDC2 cells or HGFs in a direct (CC) coculture system and an indirect transwell (TW) coculture system. (a, c, e) mRNA expression levels were investigated by RT-qPCR using rat-specific primers. Reported values are normalized to Gapdh expression. The results are expressed as the fold change relative to the respective control (SG2 alone). (b, d, f) Cytokines produced from the SG2 cells were quantified using sandwich ELISA with mouse-specific antibodies that show no cross-reactivity with those of rats. Quantified target proteins are presented as the mean ± standard deviations. ^∗P < 0.05, ^∗∗P < 0.01.