Figure 3. Baicalin up-regulates Foxp3 and down-regulates RORγt expression.

(A) CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells from B6 mice were stimulated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and the indicated cytokines, after 2 days stimulation, Baicalin was added for additional 2 days. The percentages of Foxp3⁺ and IL-17⁺ cells among CD4⁺ T cells were determined by flow cytometry. (B) CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells from B6 mice were stimulated with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and the indicated cytokines, after 2 days stimulation, Baicalin was added for additional 2 days. Foxp3 and RORγt mRNA expression were examined by RT-PCR. (C) CD4⁺CD25⁻ T cells from B6 mice were cultured under T_H17 conditions for 2 days and then transiently transfected with control plasmids (Control) or Foxp3 expression plasmids (Foxp3) in the presence or absence of Baicalin. 2 days later, RORγt, IL-17, and Foxp3 mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.