Figure 6.

Treg expansion after castration in Pten^−/− mice was mediated by IL-2. A, dot plots show CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ cells gated on CD4⁺ cells from PDLNs or spleen of one representative mouse in Sx or Cx groups for 2.5 weeks after castration. The rectangles designate the CD25^hi population. The percentage and number of CD4⁺CD25^hiFoxp3⁺ cells were calculated (bar graphs; ■, Cx 2.5 weeks; □, Sx 2.5 weeks). *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01 for Cx 2.5 weeks compared with Sx 2.5-week group. B, Pten^−/− mice were injected with anti-IL-2 or isotype control monoclonal antibody 2 days before castration. The proportion and number of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ were quantified in PDLNs and spleens 2.5 weeks after treatment (bar graphs; ■, Cx + anti-IL-2; □, Cx + isotype). **, P < 0.01 for Cx + anti-IL-2 compared with Cx + isotype group. Each group contained 3 mice, and the experiment was repeated once. C, representative dot plots of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ staining gated on CD4⁺ cells from PDLNs or spleens are shown for one mouse in the Cx + anti-IL-2 or Cx + isotype group. The percentage and number of CD4⁺CD25^hiFoxp3⁺ cells were quantified (bar graphs; ■, Cx + anti-IL-2; □, Cx + isotype). Mice were from the same experiment as in B. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.001 for Cx + anti-IL-2 compared with Cx + isotype group. Cx, castration; Sx, sham treatment.