Figure 4. Low level of TNFα in IL-2^−/− accounts for the resistance against SEB induced TSS.

(A) IL-2^−/− and BALB/c mice were bled after one hour after SEB (20 µg/mouse) injection and circulating levels of TNFα were assessed by ELISA. (B) IL-2^−/− and BALB/c mice were injected with SEB (20 µg/mouse) in the footpad and spleens were collected after three hours from these mice. Splenocytes were prepared and cultured for 72 hours without further stimulation and proliferation was measured. (C) Spleens were collected from IL-2^−/− and BALB/c mice, splenocytes were prepared and FACS was done for CD4 vs. Vβ8 and CD8 vs. Vβ8.