Fig. 2: Baicalin inhibits Tfh cell differentiation and IL-21 production in vitro.

Naive T cells from MRL/lpr mice were cultured in the presence of IL-21 and IL-6 with or without different doses of Baicalin for 5 days. a CXCR5⁺PD-1⁺ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using a CD4⁺ gate (left). The results of flow cytometry of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺PD-1⁺ cells (right). Results shown are representative of three independent biological experiments. b BCL-6, c STAT3, and d IL-21 gene expressions were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Results shown are representative of three independent biological experiments. e Naive T cells were cultured in the presence of IL-21 and IL-6 with or without different doses of Baicalin for 5 days. IL-21 production in supernatants was analyzed by ELISA. f Naive T cells were cultured in the presence of IL-21 and IL-6 with or without 40 μM Baicalin for 5 days and stimulated with PIB for the last 5 h, intracellular IL-21⁺ expression in CD4⁺ T cells was detected by flow cytometry (left) with the results of the flow cytometry of CD4⁺IL-21⁺ cells (right). Results shown are representative of three biological independent experiments. ANOVA and Student’s t-test were used