Enhanced HIV-Specific B Cell Responses

<div><p>(A) Enhanced production of BAFF and APRIL by SOCS1-silenced DCs. The transduced BM-DCs were stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 24 h. Relative expression levels of BAFF and APRIL mRNA were then determined by real-time quantitative PCR as described in Methods, and normalized to mock-transfected DCs after LPS stimulation using the Comparative Ct method [<a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030011#pmed-0030011-b027" target="_blank">27</a>]. Representative data from two independent experiments are presented. *<i>P</i> < 0.01, LV-SOCS1-siRNA-DC versus LV-GFP-siRNA-DCs.</p> <p>(B–D) Enhanced activation of gp120-specific B cells by SOCS1-silenced DCs. Frequencies of anti-gp120 antibody-producing cells in different groups of mice were determined and reported as the number of cells secreting gp120-specific IgG per 5 × 10⁵ B cells (B). The proliferation rates (C) and cytokine production (D) of B cells (5 × 10⁴/well) isolated from the spleens of different groups of mice after stimulation with anti-CD40 (5 μg/ml), IL-4 (20 ng/ml), or costimulation with anti-CD40 and IL-4 for 48 h were determined, and results from one of three independent experiments are presented. <i>P</i> < 0.01, LV-SOCS1-siRNA-DC mice versus LV-GFP-siRNA-DC mice under various in vitro stimulation conditions.</p>