Figure 4: Induction of IL-23R for IL-23-induced thymocyte apoptosis.

(a,b) Il23r^+/+ and Il23r^−/− mice were administered with either AdIL-23 or AdLacZ. At the indicated time, mice were killed. (a) Gross anatomical images of representative thymi from each group of mice. (b) Flow cytometry analysis of CD4 and CD8 expression on Thy1.2⁺ cells and the percent of CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells are shown. (c–f) BM reconstitution was carried out in the indicated three groups of donor/recipient chimeric mice. Recipient mice were administered with either AdIL-23 or AdLacZ 40 days later. Mice were killed after 9 days. (c) Gross anatomical images of representative thymi. (d) In situ hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of a representative thymus section. (e) In situ TUNEL staining (dark brown) of a representative thymus section. (f) Flow cytometry analysis of CD4 and CD8 expression on Thy1.2⁺ cells and the percent of CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells are shown. N=3 mice per group for two independent experiments. Scale bars in a,c, 3.0 mm; scale bars in d,e, 300 μm.