Figure 6.

Cytokine levels in peripheral blood. At 1 week after cell therapy, serum levels of cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-12, were determined using ELISA. (A) In the early-effect study, the serum levels of IL-18 and IL-12, but not of TNF-α or IFN-γ, in the hUMSC/IL-18 group were significantly increased compared with levels in the PBS, hUMSC and hUMSC/vector groups. (B) In the late-effect study, the serum levels of IL-18 and IL-12, but not of TNF-α or IFN-γ, in the hUMSC/IL-18 group were significantly increased compared with levels in the PBS, hUMSC and hUMSC/vector groups. No significant differences in serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-18 and IL-12 in the hUMSC/IL-18 group between the late-effect and the early-effect study were identified. *P<0.05, vs. all other groups. IFN-γ, interferon γ; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α; IL, interleukin; hUMSCs, human mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord.