Fig. 5.

H₂S was required to maintain GMSC immunomodulation in vivo. a Schematic of GMSC infusion in DSS-induced experimental colitis mice. b GMSC infusion reduced the disease activity index (DAI) induced by DSS administration, while Cbs^−/− GMSCs failed to reduce the DAI, and NaHS pretreatment partially restored the reduction of DAI by Cbs^−/− GMSCs in colitis mice. c–f GMSC infusion restored mice body weight loss, Th17 cell elevation, Treg cell decrease, and histological activity increase induced by DSS, while Cbs^−/− GMSCs failed to restore these clinical symptoms and histological observations in mice. NaHS pretreatment partially increased the capacity of Cbs^−/− GMSCs to restore mice body weight loss, Th17 cell elevation, Treg cell decease, and histological activity increase induced by DSS. Blue triangle, inflammatory cells. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Scale bar: 100 μm (n = 6). All experimental data verified in at least three independent experiments. d days, DSS dextran sulfate sodium, MSC mesenchymal stem cell, GMSC gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cell, IL interleukin