Fig. 3

Serum levels of various cytokines/hormones are reduced in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ASC)-injected mice. Collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mice were injected with ASCs three times every other day starting 3 days prior to (ASC pre group) or 4 days after (ASC post group) immunization with an anti-collagen type II antibody. As controls, wild-type mice were injected with saline (WT group) and CAIA mice were similarly immunized but not injected with ASCs (CAIA group). Each group comprised five mice. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα, a), interleukin (IL)-6 b, adiponectin c, IL-15 d, resistin e, and leptin (f) were evaluated using multiplex immunoassays at 14 days after immunization, the day on which mice were sacrificed. Data show the mean ± standard error of the mean. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 using Student’s t-test