Fig. 2: AOX improves mitochondrial structure and redox homeostasis in activated T cells.

Splenic T cells were stimulated for 24 h as above. A Representative Transmission electron micrograph of WT, TCox10^−/− and TCox10^−/−/Aox T cells. Quantification of B mitochondrial length, C width, D area, and E number of mitochondria per field (N = 3/condition). F qPCR quantification of mtDNA copy number normalized to β-actin (N = 3/condition). Genomic DNA from sorted CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ splenocytes was isolated and qPCR was performed. CD8⁺cells left, CD4⁺ right. G Normalized mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of TMRE in activated T cells (N = 6–7/condition). H Total ROS fluorescence in activated CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells (N = 7–9/condition). Left, representative density plot; right, quantification of normalized GMFI. I MitoSOX fluorescence in activated CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells (N = 5–9/condition). Left, representative density plot; right, quantification of normalized MFI. J MitoPY1 fluorescence in CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells (N = 7–9/condition). Left, representative density plot; right, quantification of normalized MFI. K NAD⁺/NADH ratio in T cells by HPLC (N = 3/condition). Data are representative of 2–3 experiments and indicate mean and standard deviation. Statistical significance is indicated by asterisks; ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05.