Fig. 2

Expression of genes characteristic for lymph node stromal cells (LNSCs). a Expression of genes in LNSCs of passage 2 was assessed by qPCR and compared between different donor groups (healthy, n = 14; individuals with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] risk, n = 23; patients with RA, n = 24). Relative quantity (RQ) is displayed as median and IQR. Differences between donor groups were assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test. * P < 0.050. b Expression of lymphoid chemokines was assessed after stimulation with tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα)  and lymphotoxin α₁β₂ for 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h by qPCR in LNSCs (passages 4 to 8). Mean fold induction (FI) and SD of n = 5 per donor group are shown. Donor characteristics are listed in Table 2. BAFF B-cell-activating factor, CCL C-C motif chemokine ligand, CXCL C-X-C motif chemokine ligand, ICAM-1 Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, IL Interleukin, mRNA Messenger RNA, VCAM-1 Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1