Figure 4
DUSP6 deficiency reduces the suppressive ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs). (a) Flow cytometry analysis of FOXP3 expression in freshly isolated CD4+ T cells from the spleen and mesenteric lymph node of WT and Dusp6−/− mice. Numbers within the graphs denote the percentage of FOXP3+ cells when compared with cells stained with isotype antibody. (b) Flow cytometry analysis of FOXP3 expression in splenic T cells from WT and Dusp6−/− mice after oral administration of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD0325901 (PD) or vehicle solution for 10 days. (c) Proliferation analysis of CFSE-labeled naive T cells from WT mice stimulated with anti-CD3/28 antibodies for 72 h and co-cultured with Tregs (CD4+CD45RBlowCD25+) isolated from the spleens of WT or Dusp6−/− mice. Cells were co-cultured at a ratio of 1:4 (Treg:Tnaive). (d) Percentage of proliferating naive CD4+ T cells from WT mice co-cultured with either WT or Dusp6−/− Tregs at a ratio of 1:4 (Treg:Tnaive). Data are representative of either 3 (a, b) or 2 (c, d) independent experiments (n=3 mice per group). CSFE, 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester; DUSP, dual-specificity phosphatase; WT, wild type.
