Fig. 4

Potential mechanism underlying the effects of caspase-1 inhibitor on EAMG. MNCs were isolated from the lymph nodes of rats in respective groups. Expression of IL-1β positive cells among OX62⁺ DC was assessed by FACS as indicated (a). Cells were stained for surface γδ TCR and CD4 as well as intracellular IL-17 and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results are mean percentages of CD4⁺IL-17⁺ cells (b), γδ T cells (c), and IL-17⁺ γδ T cells (d). On day 43 p.i., lymphocytes were purified from the lymph nodes and co-cultured with R97-116 peptide. Supernatants were harvested after 72 h of co-culture. The levels of IL-1β (e) and IL-17 (f) were determined by ELISA. Data are expressed as means ± SD (n = 6 in each group) (*p < 0.05)