Figure 4
Phenotypic and functional characterization of lung pDCs during B. pertussis infection. CD11c+ cells were collected from the lungs of infected mice. (a) Histograms depict lung CD11cint, CD11b−, and mPDCA-1+ cells (pDCs) at 5 dpi derived from B. pertussis, BpΔPTX, and from uninfected mice. These were compared with CD11c− and mPDCA-1− cells, which served as a negative control as described in the legend. (b) Summary bar graph representing the frequency of lung pDCs expressing maturation markers as depicted. Results are expressed as fold over pDC derived from uninfected mice. (c) pDCs were stained intracellularly for their secretion of IFNα. Bar graph representation of the frequency of pDCs expressing IFNα. Results are expressed as fold over uninfected mice. (d) mRNA expression of IFNα was measured in lungs at various times post infection as depicted. (Histograms represent one experiment from three independent experiments. Bar graphs represent averages from at least three independent experiments. *P<0.05.) dpi, days post-infection; IFN, interferon; pDCs, plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
