Figure 2.

T-Cell STAT3 is required for the maintenance of germinal center B-cell reactions toward LCMV. (A–D) Lck-Cre⁻ Stat3^fl/fl vs. Lck-Cre⁺ Stat3^fl/fl mice were infected with 2 × 10³ PFU LCMV-Docile. (A) Total quantity of (B220⁺) B cells in the spleen on days 12, 20, 40, and 65 postinfection was measured by flow cytometry (mean ± SEM; n = 4–7 mice/group). (B–D) GC B cells (B220⁺PNA⁺FAS⁺) were measured on days 12, 20, 40, and 65 postinfection (n = 4–7 mice/group). (B) Quantity of B220⁺PNA⁺FAS⁺ cells as a percent of total B cells (B220⁺) at each time point (mean ± SEM), (C) representative dot plot from day 65 (gated on B220⁺ cells), and (D) numerical quantification of B220⁺PNA⁺FAS⁺ cells in each group at day 65 (mean ± SEM). Data are pooled from —one or two independent experiments per time point. Statistical significance between groups was determined by Student's t-test.