TABLE 1.
Cytokine profile of T cells induced in vitro by S. mutans, GtfC-GtfD, and TT
| Antigen (μg/ml) | Level of cytokine (pg/ml [mean ± SD; n = 26])a
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL-2 | IFN-γ | IL-6 | IL-10 | TNF-α | |
| GtfC (10) | 14.53 ± 3.10b | 235.86 ± 193.44 | 10,198.43 ± 2,582.1b | 21.08 ± 16.9 | 265.51 ± 133.15b |
| GtfD (10) | 6.09 ± 4.17b | 212.47 ± 196.91 | 10,268.21 ± 3,240.2b | 62.38 ± 39.36 | 367.41 ± 126.71b |
| TT (10) | 30.85 ± 18.47 | 340.21 ± 210.10 | 827.28 ± 702.03 | 38.86 ± 27.39 | 24.62 ± 16.23 |
| S. mutans | 7.42 ± 3.20b | 92.50 ± 72.05 | 10,329.90 ± 2,195.17b | 56.14 ± 31.72 | 436.18 ± 129.88b |
a
Results represent average cytokine levels in supernatants, generated for 5 days by T cells (2 × 105/well) in the presence of irradiated PBMC as antigen-presenting cells and S. mutans (2 × 105 CFU) or various antigens. All antigens, including purified GtfC-GtfD and reagents, exhibited undetectable endotoxin levels (<30 pg/ml) as determined by the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay (Sigma). The cytokine level in the absence of any stimulation was undetectable except for IL-2 (5.43 ± 2.4 pg/mL).
b
The value induced by S. mutans, GtfC, or GtfD is significantly different from the values induced by TT (P < 0.01 [Student's t test]).