Figure 7

IL-12 enhances the production of IL-21 and IFN-γ by CD4⁺ T cells.

(A) The concentrations of IL-12p70 in the homogenates of NP and uncinate tissues were detected with ELISA (n = 8). (B) The lymphocytes from NP tissues and uncinate tissues were stimulated with LPS for 8 h and the expression of IL-12 by CD14⁺ cells was assayed by FACS (n = 7). (C) The lymphocytes from NP and uncinate tissues were stimulated with LPS for 24 h and the levels of IL-12p70 were detected with ELISA (n = 7). (D) The lymphocytes isolated from NP tissues were stimulated for 3 days with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in the presence or absence of IL-12 or IL-21 and anti-IL-12Rβ1 antibodies. The statistical results showed the concentration of IL-21 and IFN-γ in cell-free supernatants. (E) The stimulated condition was the same as (D), PMA and ionomycin plus BFA were added in the last 5 hours. The representative data and statistical results of five independent experiments showed the expression of IL-21 and IFN-γ in CD4⁺ T cells. Data were shown as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was determined with the Mann–Whitney test. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01, ns: no significance. NP, nasal polyps; UN, uncinate.