MSC-induced inhibition of monocyte differentiation into mDCs. Freshly purified CD14⁺ cells were cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 for 5 days, LPS was added for 2 additional days to induce DC maturation. Cultures were set either in the presence (■) or in the absence () of MSCs. (A) Mean of percentages of CD14 and CD1a positive cells. (B) Mean of the surface density of CD80, CD86, and CD83 evaluated as MRFI (“Cytofluorimetric analysis”). Results were obtained from 12 independent experiments.