Quantification of phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells of MLNs of WT and galectin-3^−/− infected mice.

<p>Non-adherent lymph nodal cells were collected, induced to apoptosis by high temperature and co-cultured with adherent cells to be engulffed. Measurement of phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells after 24 h (A) and 72 h (B) of co-culture procedures. The solid bars indicate the wild-type mice and the open bars represent the gal-3^−/− mice. Phagocytic cells had a translucent vacuole and phagosomes (C, arrow), while non-phagocytic cells were identified by the absence of phagossomes and clear citoplasm (D, arrow). Data are reported as means ± SEM and are representative of three independent experiments using cells derived from chronically-infected mice. Statistical analysis: Tukey's multiple comparison test (*, <i>P</i><0.05).