Figure 3.

Quantitative RT-PCR identifies IFN-γ as master cytokine for secondary syphilitic lesions. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed after trizol fixation of whole biopsies from secondary syphilitic lesions and analyzed for (A and D) so-called Th1 cytokines, (B and E) Th17 cytokines, and (C and F) Th2 and regulatory cytokines. Samples were subdivided according (A–C) the patients’ HIV status and (D–F) the time of persistence of the lesions. Data are normalized to β2-microglobulin of each specimen and represent the mean values of fold changes relative to healthy skin ± SEM. *P < 0.05.