Fig. 9

Er-NPCs inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in co-culture experiment. a Schematic of experimental set up for in vitro THP1 cells activation to macrophages and co-cultures with Er-NPCs. The assay was performed in trans-well. b mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF in co-culture experiments. mRNA levels were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR in not-treated activated THP1 versus co-culture with Er-NPCs, Er-NPCs + aEPO, and activated THP1 treated with dexamethasone (100 μM) a potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent used as control. The co-culture assay lasted for 3 h. The experiment was repeated trice, and each point was assayed in triplicate. The data reported in the histogram are expressed as mean ± SD. ***p < 0.001 vs THP1 + LPS; ^###p < 0.001 vs Er-NPCs/THP1 + LPS; °°°p < 0.001; °p < 0.05 vs Er-NPCs + aEPO/THP1 + LPS