FIG 2.

Treatment with auranofin (AF) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) reduces CD25 levels and activation of T lymphocytes in vitro. CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were isolated from whole blood and left untreated or treated with AF (250 nM), BSO (250 μM), or a combination of the two. At 24 h posttreatment, cells were activated with α-CD3 and α-CD28 antibodies. (A) Levels of CD25 and annexin V measured at 48 h postactivation (data are from CD4⁺ T cells). (B) Photographs taken at 72 h postactivation (CD4⁺ T-cell cultures). (C and D) Viability of CD4⁺ (C) (6 donors) and CD8⁺ (D) (3 donors) T cells, as measured with the MTS assay at 72 h postactivation. Values are means ± SEM. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.