Figure 6.

Augmented M2Mϕ polarization by hAM-MSCs via a PGE₂ pathway

(A) PGE₂ expression in the supernatant of hAM-MSC culture (hMSC group) measured using ELISA. The DMEM group is normal (no cell) culture medium. n = 4. (B) Mouse bone marrow-derived Mϕ were mono-cultured (Mϕ group) or co-cultured with hAM-MSCs pre-treated with DMSO (vehicle control; Mϕ + hMSC + DMSO group) or COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, in DMSO (Mϕ + hMSC + NS-398 group). After 48 h, Mϕ were collected and assessed by flow cytometry, and the percentage of M2Mϕ (CD11b⁺/F4/80⁺/CD206⁺) from the total live cell population was quantified. n = 4−5 in each group. (C) Gene expression of Mϕ in each group was measured by RT-PCR and normalized to the Mϕ-only group. Gapdh was used as a reference gene. n = 3−5 biological replicates with 3 technical replicates. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗p < 0.001. Student’s t test (A) and one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (B and C).