Fig. 6: Cathelicidin protects Th17 cells but not Th1 cells from death.

CD4 + T cells isolated from C57BL/6 J mice were cultured in Th17-driving conditions for 24 h in the presence or absence of 2.5 μM cathelicidin. A Gene expression differences were assessed by Nanostring mouse immunology chip. Cell death was assessed in culture by B, C annexin V/propidium iodide staining and D–F binding of a fixable live/dead marker. G Annexin/PI staining was repeated at 48 h of culture following inclusion of IL-2 in culture medium. H–J T cells were labelled with CFSE and proliferation assessed following 24, 48 or 72 h culture—I and J show 72 h culture analysis. Data shown are individual mice used in separate experiments with line at median. A, E, F and I were analysed with paired two-tailed t-tests—A and I with Bonferroni post correction, C and G with a two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s post-test. N values: A - 3, C - 6, E - 20, F - 19, G - 5, I - 3, J - 3. Black symbols represent untreated samples and open symbols are samples treated with cathelicidin.