<i>Csf2</i>^−/− mice succumb to influenza virus infection despite intact antiviral T and B cell responses.

<p>(A–I) Indicated groups of mice were infected i.t. with PR8 influenza virus (50 pfu unless otherwise specified). Loss of body weight (A) and temperature (B) was monitored. (C) Survival after infection with 100 pfu PR8. Values indicate mean ± SEM of 8–10 mice per group. (D) Virus titers in the lung at days 6 and 10 p.i. were measured by plaque-assay. (E–H) Comparison of immune responses in <i>Csf2</i>^−/−, <i>Batf3</i>^−/− and WT mice at day 10 post infection. (E) Percentages (upper panel) and total numbers (lower panel) of influenza NP34-specific CD8⁺ T cells in the BAL, lung and lung-draining LN. (F) Virus-specific IFNγ and TNFα production in CD8⁺ T cells of the BAL, lung and LN was analyzed by restimulation with virus-loaded BMDCs. (G and H) CD103⁺ DCs in the lung at d10 post-infection were gated on eF780⁻CD45⁺CD11c⁺MHCII⁺B220⁻Siglec-F⁻ cells. Dot plots show the frequencies of CD103⁺ DCs of individual mice representative for the group (G) and bar graphs display total numbers (H). Values indicate mean ± SD of 5–6 mice per group. (I) WT, <i>Csf2</i>^−/− and <i>Batf3</i>^−/− mice were monitored for body weight, body temperature and the survival during the course of infection. Data show mean ± SEM.