Dynamic Changes of Th1 Cytokines and the Clinical Significance of the IFN-γ/TNF-α Ratio in Acute Brucellosis

Figure 1

Flow cytometry analysis of the frequency of different groups of T-helper type 1 (Th1) cells. (a) Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the participants. The cells were fixed and permeabilized, followed by staining with PerCP-Cy™5.5 mouse anti-human CD3, APC-HT mouse anti-human CD4, and intracellular staining with BV421 mouse anti-human IFN-γ. Next, the frequency of CD3⁺CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ T cells (Th1) was calculated. (b) Flow cytometry analysis of the frequency of Th1 cells in different groups. The PBMCs from brucellosis patients were collected before treatment. Statistically significant differences were found between these two groups in three comparisons (). (c) Flow cytometry analysis of serum TNF-α levels in different groups. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured in patients prior to treatment. Statistically significant differences were found between these two groups in three comparisons (). (d) Flow cytometry analysis of serum gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) levels in the different groups. Serum IFN-γ levels were measured in patients prior to treatment. Statistically significant differences were found between these two groups in three comparisons (). Abbreviations: Th1: T-helper type 1; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cell; IFN-γ: gamma-interferon; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

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