FIG 5.

Irgm3^−/− mice do not efficiently generate IFN-γ-producing effector CD8⁺ T cells. CFSE-labeled Ptprc^a-OT-I splenocytes were adoptively transferred into WT or Irgm3^−/− (KO) recipient mice 1 day prior to infection with SIINFEKL-expressing (PbTG) or control (PbG) parasite strains. On day 6 p.i., splenocytes harvested from recipient mice were stimulated with recombinant IL-2 for 5 h with or without SIINFEKL peptide, and donor OT-I cells (CD45.1⁺, CD45.2⁻, CD3⁺, CD8⁺, Vα2⁺) were assessed for production of IFN-γ by intracellular staining. (A) Flow-cytometric analysis of splenocytes showing CFSE dilution and intracellular IFN-γ staining from SIINFEKL-stimulated cultures. (B) Quantification of IFN-γ staining in Ptprc^a-OT-I CD8⁺ T cells. Symbols represent expression of IFN-γ⁺ OT-I T cells isolated from individual animals. Data are derived from a single experiment with n = 3 to 5/group. Statistical analysis was performed via one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test. **, P < 0.01.