Retinoic acid signaling prevents upregulation of FRC-related genes. (A) E13.5 MSCs have the capacity to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. (B-D,F) mRNA expression in E13.5 MSCs upon sequential stimulation with retinoic acid (RA) (6 h) followed by stimulation with LTβR (6 h) showing expression of Rarb and Cxcl13 (B), Ccl19, Ccl21 and Il7 (C), Ltbr (D) and Vegfc, Madcam1 and Tnfsf11 (F). (E) Flow cytometric analysis of LTβR cell-surface expression upon stimulation with RA (6 h) followed by stimulation with LTβR (30 h) depicted as fold induction of MFI relative to control. Data represent mean+s.e.m.; n≥3. *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001 (one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's multiple comparison test).