Figure 2. Characterization of BAL cells from after A. fumigatus infection.

(A) Mice were infected with 50×10⁶ RC and BAL cells were collected at different time points after infection. Total and differential cell counts of BAL cells recovered from uninfected and infected mice were determined from stained cytospin slides. Macs: macrophages; PMNs: neutrophils; Eos: eosinophils and Lymphs: lymphocytes. Values shown are mean±SEM. (B) Representative flow cytometry plots showing different cell types in the BAL fluid by staining for various cell surface markers. Cells are gated on live CD45⁺ cells (leukocytes) and analyzed for CD3, CD19, Ly6G or CD11c expression. Numbers represent the percentages of specific cell types in the CD45⁺ population. Characterization of CD11c⁺ cells in the BAL fluid from uninfected or infected mice at 48 h p.i. based on autofluorescence and MHC II expression. Flow cytometry plots show that CD11c⁺ cells can be divided into highly autofluorescent macrophages (gate 1) and low autofluorescent DCs (gate 2). MHC II expression in each population was examined. Numbers represent the percentages of cells in gated populations (n = 4 mice per group).