Fig. 2

tPA^-/- mice show reduced CD4⁺ T cell infiltration than WT in the spinal cord. Absolute number of infiltrated a CD4⁺, b CD8⁺, and c FoxP3⁺ T cells in spinal cords of WT and tPA^-/- EAE mice measured by Malassez cell counting and flow cytometry. Results are expressed as mean + SEM. N = 6 (WT) and N = 3 (tPA^-/-). ^*P < 0.05. d Percentages of T cell subtypes relative to total CD3⁺ T cell number in the spinal cord of tPA^-/- and WT EAE mice. e Photomicrographs show representative immunofluorescence staining (from N = 3 for tPA^-/-and WT) for CD3, CD4, and COLIV markers in the lower thoracic region of mice spinal cords. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). f Scheme describing the different parts of the spinal cord. g and h Quantification of the average density of CD4⁺ T cells within infiltrated areas in g the whole spinal cord and in h individual segments (Cerv. cervical, Upper Th. upper thoracic, Lower Th. lower thoracic, L/Sacr. lumbar/sacral. (N = 3). ^*P < 0.05. i and j Intracytoplasmic cytokine detection by flow cytometry in splenocytes from tPA^-/- and WT EAE mice (10 days post-immunization) after stimulation with PMA/ionomycin. Graphs show the percentage of CD4⁺/IFN-γ⁺ T cells and CD4⁺/IL-17⁺ T cells. N = 7 (WT) and N = 7 (tPA^-/-). ^**P < 0.01