Fig. 6

α-SMA and IL-6 protein expression in fibroblasts stimulated with supernatants from HUVECs incubated with SSc-ICs and NHS-ICs. Fibroblasts were exposed to supernatants from HUVECs incubated with TNF-α (10 ng/ml), SSc-ICs, or NHS-ICs (1:2 dilution). TNF-α (10 ng/ml) was used as a positive control. SN, supernatants. Histograms represent mean + standard error of the mean (SEM). *p < 0.01; ***p < 0.0001 versus medium. a α-SMA. TNF-α SN [7.0 ± 0.71] versus medium SN [1.1 ± 0.14] (p < 0.01) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.01). TNF-α [7.70 ± 1.70] versus medium [0.9 ± 0.15] (p < 0.001). ATA-ICs SN [12.15 ± 2.33] versus medium SN (p < 0.0001) and versus NHS-ICs SN [1.15 ± 0.07] (p < 0.0001). ACA-ICs SN [10.58 ± 0.25] versus medium SN (p < 0.0001) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.0001). ARA-ICs SN [15.90 ± 2.70] versus medium SN (p < 0.0001) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.0001). Anti-Th/To-ICs SN [7.30 ± 1.69] versus medium SN (p < 0.01) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.01). NHS-ICs SN [1.15 ± 0.07] versus medium SN (p = N.S.). b IL-6. TNF-α SN [12.41 ± 2.54] versus medium SN [1.05 ± 0.07] (p < 0.0001) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.0001). TNF-α [6.65 ± 1.63] versus medium [0.08 ± 0.28] (p < 0.01). ATA-ICs SN [7.50 ± 2.26] versus medium SN (p < 0.001) and versus NHS-ICs SN [1.71 ± 0.17] (p < 0.01). ACA-ICs SN [3.77 ± 0.66] versus medium SN (p = N.S.) versus NHS-ICs SN (p = N.S.). ARA-ICs SN [10.77 ± 1.22] versus medium SN (p < 0.0001) versus NHS-ICs SN (p < 0.0001). Anti-Th/To-ICs SN [13.78 ± 0.73] versus medium SN (p < 0.0001) versus NHS-ICs SN(p < 0.0001). NHS-ICs SN [1.71 ± 0.17] versus medium SN (p = N.S)