Fig. 2

Soluble factors from human astrocytes increase B-cell survival and CD86 expression. (a, c) B cells were cultured in transwells in serum-free medium, either alone (B alone) or with either stimulated (Stim) or unstimulated (Unstim) human astrocytes (Astro). (b, d) B cells were cultured with 25% serum-free medium, which had not been conditioned by astrocytes (B alone), or with 25% astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) from stimulated (Stim) or unstimulated (Unstim) astrocytes. B-cell viability (a, b) was assessed after 2 and 3 days of co-culture using 7AAD and Annexin V staining. Data are shown from 9 independent experiments using different healthy-control donors. B-cell CD86 expression (c, d; MFI) was determined by flow cytometry following 2 days in culture. Data are shown for 5 independent experiments (one way ANOVA (2a, b), paired t-test (2c, d); n.s.: not significant; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01; ***: p < 0.001)