Figure 4. LSECs contribute to the tolerogenic induction of CD4⁺ RTEs.

CD4⁺ RTE precursors (5 × 10⁵ per well) were stimulated with anti-CD3 (2 μg/ml) and anti-CD28 (1 μg/ml) in the presence of 7 × 10⁴ LSECs, KCs or FLDCs. On the third day, 2 ng/ml of rhIL-2 was added. After 5 days of co-culture, T cells were collected for further analysis. (A) Enhanced IL-10 production in T cells co-cultured with LSECs. T cells were restimulated with plate-bound anti-CD3 (2 μg/ml) for one day and IL-10 production by T cells was measured by flow cytometry. (B) Reduced IL-7 responsiveness in T cells co-cultured with LSECs. The apoptosis of T cells cultured in the presence of IL-7 was calculated against that of cells cultured in medium and the mean ratios of three independent experiments were shown on the right. (C) Increased expression of FasL in T cells co-cultured with LSECs. (D) Increased expression of LAG3 in T cells co-cultured with LSECs and KCs. Data are representative of two independent experiments.