Exaggerated IL-15 and Altered Expression of foxp3+ Cell-Derived Cytokines Contribute to Enhanced Colitis in Nlrp3−/− Mice

Figure 3

Nlrp3−/− mice exhibit increased numbers of IL-15 expressing DCs in the MLN and colonic following a 7-day course of DSS. (a) The quantification of IL-15 in colonic tissue isolated from WT and Nlrp3−/− on day 7 of DSS. denote compared to WT; /group. Representative images of (b) WT and (c) Nlrp3−/− colonic sections stained for IL-15; scale bar = 100 microns. Flow cytometric analysis of IL-15 expression on the surface of all DCs isolated from the MLNs of WT and Nlrp3−/− on day 7 of DSS, expressed as a percentage of IL-15 expressing cells (d) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) per cell (e); denotes compared to WT; /group. Flow cytometric analysis of IL-15 expression on the surface of lymphoid (CD11c+/CD8+; LDC) and plasmacytoid (CD11b+/B220+/CD11c−; pDC) DCs isolated from the LP of WT and Nlrp3−/− mice on day 7 of DSS, expressed as a percentage of IL-15 expressing cells (f) and MFI per cell (g); denotes compared to WT; /group.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)