Fig. 3.

Modulation of splenic cytokine mRNA expression in HgCl₂-induced autoimmunity. BN rats were treated with two doses of HgCl₂ in the presence or absence of desferrioxamine for 4 days and then spleen cells were prepared for mRNA and RT-PCR. Data were pooled from two identical independent experiments with a total of six animals in each group, and expressed as the ratio of the intensity of the band for IFN-γ (a) or IL-4 (b) to the intensity of the band for β-action. *P < 0·05 compared with HgCl₂ group (rats treated with HgCl₂ only).