CD8 T cells as sole perforin wielding source are sufficient to induce CNS vascular permeability.

<p>The extent of CNS vascular permeability is illustrated by raw image and 3D transparency rendering of gadolinium-enhancing areas from T1-weighted MRI scans in mice administered (A,C) mock E7 control peptide or (B,D) VP2_121–130 peptide. MRI images are separated to show both methods of CD8+ T cell selection (A,B) negative sort or (C,D) positive sort to isolate and transfer CD8+ cells. (E) Quantification of the 3D volume of vascular leakage from all mice (both negative and positive sort) revealed that VP2_121–130 peptide-treated mice having CD8 T cells as the sole perforin-expressing cell type have a significantly more amount of gadolinium leakage (p<0.05) (n = <b>5,9</b> per group). (F) A significant increase in CNS vascular permeability detectable by intravenously injected rhodamine dextran accumulation in brain homogenates was observed in VP2_121–130 peptide-treated animals (n = 6) compared to mock E7 peptide-treated animals (n = 4) (p<0.05). Results are depicted as mean ± SEM.