Modulation of Th1/Th2 Immune Responses by Killed Propionibacterium acnes and Its Soluble Polysaccharide Fraction in a Type I Hypersensitivity Murine Model: Induction of Different Activation Status of Antigen-Presenting Cells

Figure 4

Cytokines synthesis by spleen antigen-presenting cells. Spleen cells from mice treated with saline (Sal), P. acnes (Pa), or PS were obtained 14 days after HEW implantation and stained with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal anti-mouse antibodies to determine the intracellular synthesis of IL-4 and IL-12 by B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Percentages obtained by flow cytometric analysis were converted to absolute numbers of B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells positive for each cytokine, which were added to obtain the total number of spleen APCs positive for such cytokine in Protocols 1 (a) and 2 (e). Production levels were also determined by mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and individually analyzed in B lymphocytes ((b) and (f)), macrophages ((c) and (g)), and dendritic cells ((d) and (h)) for Protocols 1 and 2, respectively. ^*; ^**; ^***.