Figure 4. Tim-3 and IL-12 expression in primary CD14⁺ M/M_Ø and THP-1 cells are altered by HCV core treatment.

A) Healthy PBMC were treated with β-gal or HCV core and LPS/R848 for 18 h, followed by triple immunostaining and flow cytometric analysis for the expressions of CD14, TIM-3, and IL-12. PBMC were first gated on monocytic populations, and then further gated on CD14⁺ M/M_Ø (R3). Representative dot plots from a healthy subject demonstrate the relationship of Tim-3 and IL-12 expression and their response to β-gal or HCV core treatment. Summary data from 8 healthy subjects indicates the effect of HCV core on Tim-3 expression and IL-12 production in primary CD14⁺ M/M_Ø. Mean values are expressed as percentage of the indicated population. Error bars represent the SD of the mean. The p value (**<0.01; ***<0.001) is denoted above the group of study subjects. B) Tim-3 expression and IL-12 production in THP-1 cells 72 h after HCV core or β-gal treatment followed by flow cytometric analysis. The histogram of Tim-3 or IL-12 expression is over-layed upon isotype control and different treatment. The data is reproducible in repeated experiments. C) Tim-3 (left panel) and IL-12 (right panel) expression in purified CD14⁺ M/M_Ø with no stimulation (blue line), LPS/R848/β-gal treatment (green line), or LPS/R848/core treatment (red line).