Parasite-induced arg1 expression in macrophages is dependent on STAT6.

<p>Expression of <b>A</b>) STAT6 mRNA and <b>B</b>) arg1 mRNA in BMDMs that were uninfected (Un) or infected <i>in vitro</i> with <i>L. donovani</i> (Inf) for 24 h after transfection with STAT6-specific knockdown siRNA (STAT6 KD) or scrambled siRNA (Control). Shown is the mean and SEM of the fold-change in mRNA compared to unstimulated controls as determined by qRT-PCR in 6 replicates from 2 independent experiments. <b>C</b>) Parasite burden at 24 h post-infection of STAT6 KD BMDMs or control. Shown is the mean and SEM of the parasite burden with reference to control (uninfected) cells in 4 replicates determined by qRT-PCR. <b>D</b>) STAT6 and arg1 mRNA expression in splenic macrophages from <i>L. donovani</i> infected hamsters 48 hrs after <i>ex vivo</i> transfection with STAT6-specific siRNA (STAT6 KD) or scrambled siRNA (Control). Data are shown as the mean and SEM of the percent of maximal mRNA expression in the control samples. *p<0.05; ***p<0.001.