Fig. 3: SCFAs promote B10 cell generation in vivo.

A Schematic diagram of the procedure adopted for treating C57BL/6J mice with SCFAs. Mice were randomly grouped and administered with antibiotics in drinking water for 7 days to clear the gut bacteria and then received SCFAs in drinking water containing antibiotics for 3 weeks before being sacrificed for sampling. B Representative FACS plots of IL-10⁺ cells in CD19⁺ B cells from PBMCs of mice treated as described in “Materials and methods” with the procedure of (A). Cells were cultured with L + PIM for 5 h before staining. The right bar graph is a statistical result of B10 cell percentage (similarly hereinafter). C Schematic diagram of procedure adopted for treating DBA/1J mice with SCFAs for prevention of collagen-induced arthritis. Mice were treated the same as in (A) before they received their first immunization with CII plus CFA on Day 28, then got the immune boost with CII plus IFA on Day 49, and finally they were sacrificed on Day 60. SCFAs were provided in the drinking water from Day 7 to 60. D Representative FACS plots of IL-10⁺ cells in CD19⁺ B cells from splenocytes of mice in (C). Cells were cultured with CD40 mAb for 48 h and L + PIM for the last 5 h. E Schematic diagram of procedure treating C57BL/6 mice with SCFAs for preventing colitis induced with DSS. F Representative FACS plots of IL-10⁺ cells in CD19⁺ B cells from the spleen or peritoneal cavity fluids of mice in (D). Cells were cultured with L + PIM for 5 h before staining. The data are presented as mean ± SD from at least six mice in each group. *P < 0.05 and **p < 0.01, compared to Ctrl (B), CIA (D) or DSS+PBS (F) as indicated.