Figure 5: The role of cytokines on IFN-γ response of MAIT cells from tuberculous pleural effusions.

(A–F) Representative flow plots showing IFN-γ production in Mtb-stimulated MAIT cells in the presence of isotype antibody control (A), or blocking antibody to IL-1β (B), IL-2 (C), IL-12 (D), IL-15 (E), or combined blocking antibodies of both IL-2 and IL-12 (F). (G) Reduced IFN-γ response in MAIT cells from tuberculous pleural effusions was observed when IL-2 and IL-12 were blocked with antibodies (n = 6). (H) Addition of IL-18 blocking antibody led to decreased IFN-γ production in MAIT cells (n = 8). (I) Blockade of IL-7 resulted in slightly higher IFN-γ response in MAIT cells (n = 6). (J) IFN-γ response in MAIT cells of PBMCs (PBMCs) in the presence of Mtb stimulation and centrifuged supernatants (100 μl) of Mtb antigen-stimulated cells from tuberculous pleural effusions was abolished by blocking antibodies to IL-2 and IL-12 (n = 3). Pleural effusion: mononuclear cells from tuberculous pleural effusions; Mtb stim.: Mtb antigen stimulation; PE-stim. supernatant: supernatants of Mtb antigen-stimulated cells from tuberculous pleural effusions; Anti-IL-2 & IL-12 Abs: combined blocking antibodies to IL-2 and IL-12. The Friedman’s test (p < 0.0001), followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used in Fig. 5G. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis between groups in Fig. 5H,I. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis in Fig. 5J. Horizontal bars in the scatter plots indicate medians. **p < 0.01.