Effect of FIV infection on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation.

<p>Whole blood was collected at the time of lymph node biopsy 3 days after the Lm challenge. Cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation and expression of the nuclear antigen Ki-67. (A) Absolute number of proliferating NK cells, (B) Absolute number of proliferating CD4⁺ T cells, (C) Absolute number of proliferating CD8⁺ T cells, (D) Absolute number of proliferating cells. Columns represent mean ± SEM. FIV-infected (black columns) and SPF-control animals (white columns). Statistical significance was determined between FIV-infected and SPF-control cats. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test. * indicates <i>P</i><0.05. SPF-control cats n = 8, FIV-infected cats n = 13.