Figure 2.

Perforin deficiency enhances maturation of NK cells during early MCMV infection. C57BL/6 and Prf1^−/− mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10⁶ PFU of MCMV (A,C) or intravenously with 2 × 10⁵ PFU of MCMV (B). (A) At indicated time points, splenic CD3ϵ⁻NK1.1⁺ NK cells were analyzed for expression of CD27 and CD11b markers. (B) On day 4.5, maturation pattern of NK cells was determined for WT and Δm157 MCMV infection. (C) Frequencies of KLRG1 and CD11b coexpression on CD3ϵ⁻NK1.1⁺ NK cells at indicated time points p.i. are depicted. Representative data of at least two independent experiments with three to five mice per group are shown.