CD8α⁺ DCs are necessary for the presentation of sporozoite antigens to CD8⁺ T cells.

<p>A and B. WT and <i>Batf3</i>^{<i>−/−</i>} mice received 1×10⁶ CFSE-labeled OT-1 cells 1 day prior to ID injection of 2×10⁴ irradiated <i>P</i>. <i>berghei</i> CS^5M sporozoites. DLNs were collected 3 days post-inoculation. A. Representative CFSE profiles of OT-1 cells from 1 of 3 similar experiments. B. Expansion of OT-1 cells in the DLN; mean ± SEM, n = 7/group. Data are representative of 3 similar experiments. C. 0.5–1×10⁴ naive OT-1 cells were transferred to WT and <i>Batf3</i>^{<i>−/−</i>} mice 1 day before immunization via 20 irradiated <i>P</i>. <i>berghei</i> CS^5M-infected mosquito bites. Responses were examined 8, 14, and 17 days post-inoculation. Proportion of CD8⁺ T cells of OT-1 origin after <i>P</i>. <i>berghei</i> CS^5M-infected mosquito bites. Data are pooled from 2 similar experiments mean ± SEM; n = 9/group (day 8) and n = 6/group (day 14 and 17).