MRs and CSE affect the expression of T cell subset nuclear transcription factors.

<p>PBT cells from healthy nonsmokers (<b>A</b>) or patients with SCOPD (<b>B</b>) were cultured and stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs in the presence of CSE, mAChR agonist/antagonist, or combinations of these factors (<i>as shown in bottom panels</i>). The agonist and antagonist of mAChRs were muscarine (Mus) and atropine (Atro), respectively. After 5 days in culture, the cells were harvested, and the total RNA was extracted. The expression levels of nuclear transcription factor mRNA, namely that of T-bet, GATA3, RORC, and FOXP3, were detected by qPCR, with GAPDH serving as an internal control. The data from 7 independent experiments are expressed as the mean ± SD of the mRNA in question relative to that in unstimulated T cells (controls), which was set as 1. The comparisons were determined by the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks.*P<0.05 compared with the relevant control. ^# P<0.05 compared with CD3/CD28 plus CSE or CD3/CD28 plus Muscarine (Mus).