Memory CD4⁺ T cells subset response to different Pseudomonas strains in CF and controls.

Abstract

<p>Following co-culture with dendritic cells infected with laboratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) strains (PA103) or clinical PA strains (Yorkhill), CD4⁺ T cells were classified into T helper cell subsets based on intracellular cytokine straining patterns, as shown for a representative patient in panel <b>A</b>. The Th1, Th17 and Th22 responses to both PA103 and Yorkhill PA strains is shown for healthy controls (<b>B</b>) and patients with CF (<b>C</b>), as a percentage of the total numbers of CD4⁺ memory cells analysed. The columns show the mean values +/− SEM; n = 8 for CF patients and 10 for healthy controls. Panel <b>D</b> shows the proportions of PA-specific Th17 cells in CF patients compared with controls. Each point represents the result from one individual; different bacterial strains are indicated by the symbols as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0090263#pone-0090263-g004" target="_blank">Figure 4</a>. The line indicates the median value. Differences between controls and patients with CF (<b>D</b>) were evaluated by a Mann-Whitney test.</p