Figure 6. Th17 development through integrin αvβ8 on DCs is dependent on MHCII-TCR engagement.

DCs were isolated from control, β8^fl/fl × CD11c-cre, and MHCII-mismatched (H2q MHC haplotype from FVB strain) mice and cultured in different combinations with naive CD4⁺ 2D2 TCR transgenic T cells under Th17-driving conditions without exogenous TGF-β. Supernatants were collected and analyzed by ELISA for the presence of IL-17. Data are means ± SEM of the ratio of IL-17 produced between control and β8^fl/fl × CD11c-cre wells under each condition. Twice as many β8^fl/fl × CD11c-cre DCs were present in 1 condition (indicated by ++) to account for a doubling in the number of DCs in the control plus β8^–/– group. MHCII-mismatched DCs were present in cultures at a 4:1 ratio, compared with control or β8^–/– DCs. *P < 0.05.