Figure 6.

Naive CD4 T cells were purified and activated as in Fig. 1. NADPH levels were measured in T cell extracts 72 h after activation. Data from 8 RA patients and 10 age-matched controls are presented as box plots. Median, 25th, and 75th percentiles (box), and 10th and 90th percentiles (whiskers) are displayed (A). T cells were loaded with fluorogenic dyes (DCF and DHE) and H₂O₂ and O²⁻ production was quantified by flow cytometry on days 0 and 3 after stimulation. Data from 11–18 RA patients and 15–22 healthy controls are presented as box plots. Median, 25th, and 75th percentiles (box), and 10th and 90th percentiles (whiskers) are displayed (B). CD4⁺CD45RO⁻ T cells were stimulated and cultured in the absence or presence of the ROS scavenger Tempol (50 µM) for 72 h. Frequencies of apoptotic (7AAD⁺ and Annexin V⁺) T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Representative dot blots are shown and data from three independent experiments are presented as mean ± SEM (C). *, P < 0.05; ***, P < 0.001.