Fig. 3: HDCA reprograms splenic red pulp macrophages to constrain autoimmunity.
A C57BL/6J mice were divided into two groups: EAU model, and EAU model with HDCA treatment at 50 mg/kg/day for 14 days. The splenic residue macrophages, including red pulp macrophages (CD45+F4/80hiCD11blo) and white pulp macrophages (CD45+F4/80loCD11bhi), were analyzed (n = 8 per group). B Representative H&E-stained images show hemosiderin+ macrophages (white arrows) within the red pulp zones of EAU and HDCA-treated EAU mice. C C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: EAU model, EAU model with HDCA treatment (50 mg/kg/day), macrophage-depleted EAU model (Mø-EAU), and Mø-EAU model with HDCA treatment for 14 days (n = 4 per group). D Flow cytometry analysis of RPMs across the four groups. E Heatmap of fold changes in serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. F Naïve CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were indirectly co-cultured with BMDMs with LPS, or LPS + HDCA (20 μM) under Th17 or cytotoxic T lymphocyte induction conditions for 72 h. G The percentages of Th17 cells (IL-17a+). H The percentages of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD107a+). I Naïve CD4+ T cells and BMDMs were cultured with varying concentrations of HDCA (10, 20, and 40 μM) Th17 or M1 induction conditions for 72 h (T cells) or 24 h (BMDMs), respectively. J The percentages of Th17 cells. K The percentages of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD107a+).
