Figure 7. Effect of NK depletion on IFN-γ production in tripartite cultures.

A. NK cell depletion strategy. B. IFN-γ protein production was decreased by NK cell depletion. uRBC  =  unparasitised red blood cells. Control  =  no PBMC, uRBC or iRBC. “PBMC N (NK depleted)” co-cultures contained PBMC that had been depleted of 99% NK cells stained with CD16, CD56 and NKp46 prior. “PBMC N” refers to co-cultures in which PBMC had not been depleted of NK cells. Co-cultures were 24 h, following which supernates were harvested and analysed for IFNγ. Columns represent means of two separate experiments.