Figure 7. Stability of Foxp3 expression during ex vivo culture.

(A) Treg cells, sorted from HBZ-Tg or non-Tg mice, were cultured in the presence of IL-2 for 3 or 7 days. The expression of Foxp3 was analyzed by flow cytometry. (B) Sequential changes of the Foxp3⁻ population are shown. (C) IFN-γ production of ex vivo cultured Foxp3⁺ cells was evaluated by intracellular staining. Sorted Treg cells were cultured for 7 days, and then stimulated for 4 h with PMA/ionomycin and protein transport inhibitor. (D) Foxp3 expression of sorted CD4⁺CD25⁺GITR^highthymocytes from HBZ-Tg mice.