Fig. 4

IL-23 expands myelin-specific CD4 T effector/memory cells from spontaneous EAE mice but does not alter PD-1/IL-7Rα balance. a–b Splenocytes from TCR-WT mice who developed spontaneous EAE were activated with MBP Ac1-11, MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-12, or MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-23 for 72 h. a IL-17 and IFNγ in supernatant were determined by ELISA. b PD-1, LAG-3, and IL-7Rα expression was determined by flow cytometry. Cells were gated on CD4⁺ CD44⁺ cells and flow data are representative of three independent experiments. The percentage of PD-1⁺ LAG-3⁺ CD4⁺ T cells or IL-7Rα expressing cells in MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-23 group or MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-12 group was normalized to that in MBP Ac1-11 group. Group means were calculated and compared. c Splenocytes from TCR-WT mice who developed spontaneous EAE were activated with MBP Ac1-11, MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-12, or IL-23 for 72 h. The cells were then rested for 4 days and restimulated with MBP Ac1-11 for 2 days. CD44 expression was determined by flow cytometry. Flow data are representative of three independent experiments. The percentage of CD44⁺CD4⁺ T cells in MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-23 group or MBP Ac1-11 plus IL-12 group was normalized to that in MBP Ac1-11 group. Group means were calculated and compared. All error bars denote s.e.m. *P < 0.05