Human amniotic epithelial cell transplantation induces expression of genes associated with alternately activated (M2) macrophages.

<p>mRNA expression of classically (M1) and alternately activated M2 macrophage genes were analyzed by real time quantitative PCR and the fold change calculated by the ^ΔΔCT method. Expression of M2 associated YM-1, CD206 and IL-10 was significantly elevated in livers of mice treated with hAEC compared to animals given carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) alone (A). M1 associated genes CCL17 and CCL5 were expressed but levels did not alter with hAEC treatment (B). IL-12b:IL-10 ratio was skewed towards an M2 phenotype. MMP-9 increased and MMP-12 expression decreased with hAEC treatment (C). *, ** and *** P&lt;0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively.