Fig. 1

a Anti-proliferative effect of MPA on DMSC. DMSC were exposed for 48 h to MPA and proliferation measured by 5-Br-deoxyuridine incorporation. Mean values and SD were calculated from three independent experiments measured in sixfold each and expressed as a percentage with respect to untreated controls. (****P ≥ 0.0001). b Viability of untreated or MPA-treated DMSC from 48 h, 72 h and 7 days measured by alamar blue assay. Mean values with SD shown of DMSC cultures measured fivefold. Data in each condition, untreated or treated, are compared with respect to the immediately previous time (**P ≥ 0.01****P ≥ 0.0001). c Apoptosis/necrosis flow cytometry analysis of untreated DMSC (left) or treated for 48 h with MPA (right) showing viable cells (lower left quadrant), early apoptotic cells (lower right quadrant) and late apoptotic/necrotic cells (upper right quadrant). No apoptotic effect of MPA was found