Absence of ST2 in dendritic cells enhances their APC capacity after EAE induction.

<p>Mice were immunized with MOG_35–55/CFA and cells were isolated from lymph nodes and spleens. (A) Ability of ST2^−/− and WT dendritic cells isolated from spleen 8 days after immunization to affect proliferation of ST2^−/− CD4⁺ and WT CD4⁺ cells without or with MOG_35–55 specific re-stimulation was determined by MTT assay. Proliferation is presented as percentage calculated in relation to proliferation of CD4⁺ cells only. (B) ELISA was performed to determine the production of IL-10, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines by dendritic cells isolated from spleens 9 days after immunization and stimulation with TLR1/2 agonist. Data are presented from 2 independent experiments as the mean+SD of representative experiment (n = 16 in both groups *P<0.05). (C) Dendritic cells were isolated from ST2^−/− and WT mice 4 and 8 days after MOG_35–55 immunization. Active induction of EAE was performed on wild type BALB/c mice and after 4 and 8 days ST2^−/− or WT dendritic cells were given intravenously. Mice were clinically scored daily. Data are shown as mean+SD; 5 mice per group (*P<0.05). Statistical significance was tested by Student’s t-test.