GPx1^−/− Tregs were hyperfunctional than WT Tregs.

<p>(A) A representative panel of FACS plots for the analysis of suppressive function of Tregs from GPx1^−/− mice. On the 3^rd day of culture, live CD4⁺ cells were gated for analysis. The first row shows proliferation of Teffs from the WT or GPx1^−/− mice in the cross combination with DCs from the WT or GPx1^−/− mice, in the absence of Tregs. The 2^nd and 3^rd rows show proliferation of Teffs in the presence of Tregs from the WT and GPx1^−/− mice, respectively. The numbers indicate precursor frequency (%) of Teffs. In the 2^nd and 3^rd rows, precursor frequency was calculated after CFSE⁻ Tregs were excluded. Teffs were less proliferative in the cocultures with GPx1^−/− Tregs than with WT Tregs, suggesting GPx1^−/− Tregs were hyperfunctional in the suppression of Teff proliferation, comparing to WT Tregs. (B) Comparison of the suppressive functions of WT and GPx1^−/− Tregs in the cocultures with DCs and Teffs from the WT or GPx1^−/− mice showed the stronger suppressive power of Tregs as the more types of cells were from GPx1^−/− mice, suggesting that Treg function was closely associated with ROS level. Data are mean ± SD (n = 12).