Leukocyte subpopulations in myocardial tissue under basal conditions.

<p><b>A:</b> Gating strategy used to identify different leukocyte subpopulations by multiparametric flow cytometry. CD45⁺ cells were gated and DAPI-staining was used to exclude dead and apoptotic immune cells. Living CD45⁺ cells were then divided in subleukocyte populations using a panel of cell-specific fluorochrome-labeld antibodies. Lymphocytes were gated into CD45R(B220)⁺ cells (B-cells) and CD3⁺ cells (T-cells). T-cells were subdivided in CD4⁺ cells (T-helper cells) and CD8⁺ cells (cytotoxic T-cells). Myeloid cells were characterized as CD11b⁺ cells and further subdivided in CD11c⁺ cells (APCs) and Ly6g⁺ cells (granulocytes). <b>B:</b> Leukocyte subpopulations in the unstressed heart. Values are means ± SD of n = 5 experiments.