Fig. 3.
Mitochondrial homeostasis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in T cell subsets of lupus patients exposed to all NAC doses considered together. Effect of NAC on Δψm (panel A, DiOC6 fluorescence), mitochondrial mass (panel B, NAO fluorescence), and H2O2 levels were measured in T cells rested in culture for 16 h (panel C, DCF fluorescence). NO production (panel D, DAF-FM fluorescence), and mitochondrial mass were measured in T cell subsets following CD3/CD28 stimulation for 16 h (panel E, NAO fluorescence). Panel F) Spontaneous apoptosis rate was enumerated by the percentage of Ann V+/PI− T cells after culture for 16 h. Panel G) Activation-induced apoptosis was assessed following CD3/CD28 co-stimulation for 16 h. Visits: visit 1, before 1st NAC dose; visit 2, after 1-month treatment; visit 3, after 2-month treatment; visit 4, after 3-month treatment; visit 5, after 1-month washout. p values reflect comparison to visit 1 using two-tailed paired t-test.