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. 2006 Aug 8;3(8):e266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030266

Figure 2. Conjunctival Cytokine mRNA Expression in the Right Conjunctivae of Study Participants.

Figure 2

RNA was extracted from conjunctival swabs and reverse transcribed, and specific cytokine transcripts were amplified by PCR. Cytokine mRNA expression was normalized against the housekeeping gene HPRT. The response of each individual is shown with the median value (red bar) and the 25th and 75th percentiles (blue bars) for each group. Data were tested for significance by ANOVA and adjusted for age. Individuals are categorised using a combination of the presence of clinical signs of active trachoma (TF/TI) and the detection of chlamydial 16S rRNA. IFN-γ (A) and IDO (B) mRNAs were increased in infected individuals, and they were further increased in those in whom clinical signs coincided with infection compared to clinically normal, uninfected individuals. IL-10 mRNA (C) was increased only in those who had clinical infections, while FOXP3 mRNA (D) was increased in both clinically infected and clinically diseased, uninfected individuals.