Figure 2. Bcl-2 transgene expression fails to rescue the deficit of nTreg precursors in c-Rel deficient mice.

Thymocyte suspensions from c-rel^+/+bcl-2^Tg, c-rel^+/−bcl-2^Tg and c-rel^−/−bcl-2^Tg mice were fixed, permeabilized and stained with antibodies for CD4, CD8, CD25, GITR and Foxp3. Representative dot plots from one of three independent experiments are displayed with the percentage of cells in the relevant quadrants indicated. (A) Profiles of CD25 versus Foxp3 (gated on CD4 SP cells) and CD25 versus GITR (gated on Foxp3⁻CD4SP cells). Two mice of each genotype were analyzed in each experiment. (B) Percentages of thymic nTregs (CD25⁺Foxp3⁺CD4SP) and nTreg precursors (CD25⁺Foxp3⁻CD4SP) in c-rel^+/+bcl-2^Tg, c-rel^+/−bcl-2^Tg and c-rel^−/−bcl-2^Tg mice. The data represents the mean values (±SEM with ANOVA p value <0.0001) compiled from three independent experiments described in panel A.