FIG. 3.

Effect of SEB activation in vitro. Splenocytes seeded at a density of 1 × 10⁶ cells were activated with 1 μg/ml of SEB. A, Twenty-four hours after activation, cells were harvested and triple stained in the following combinations: CD3⁺Vβ8⁺CD69⁺, CD3⁺Vβ8⁺CD25⁺, and CD3⁺Vβ8⁺CD28⁺. The representative dotplots shown are gated on CD3+ cells. B, Cell proliferation assay as measured by the incorporation of thymidine in splenocytes that were activated with SEB for 48 h. C, IFN-γ expression determined by ELISA. Samples were obtained from collecting the supernatants following SEB activation of splenocytes. Data are represented as mean ± SEM (n = 3) from 2 independent experiments. Statistical significance is indicated as follows: ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001 (when compared with vehicle).