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. 2003 Apr 1;17(7):883–895. doi: 10.1101/gad.1063703

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Caspase 8 is essential for T-cell homeostasis. (A) Thy1.2+-positive T-cell numbers are decreased in tcasp8−/− compared with control spleen (Sp), lymph nodes (LN), and peripheral blood (PBL). Representative dot blots are shown. (B) Histological examination of tcasp8−/− spleens identifies irregular T- and B-cell follicles characterized by a decreased presence of T-cells (anti-CD3, pink staining) and increased B-cells (anti-B220, brown staining) compared with spleen from control littermates. (C) The mean total number of lymphocytes in the spleens was similar, yet the total number of Thy1.2+ T-cells was significantly decreased in tcasp8−/− spleens. Total CD8+ and to a lesser extent, CD4+ T-cells were reduced in spleen, LN, and PBL from tcasp8−/− mice. The CD4:CD8 ratio was markedly increased in spleen (n = 13), LN (n = 13), and PBL (n = 4). *, p < 0.05. (D) CD69 and CD25 levels were normal on naive caspase 8-deficient peripheral T-cells; however, there was increased expression of CD95 on tcasp8−/− T-cells.