Fig. 3.
IL-23 expression and Th17 development were dependent on commensal bacteria. (A) LPS instillation was performed in mice treated with or without antibiotics (Abx) for 10 days. The number of cells in the BAL fluid 24h after PBS or LPS instillation in mice treated with antibiotics. n = 4–5 per group. *P < 0.05. (B) IL-22, IL-17 and IL-23 protein levels in the BAL fluid 24h after PBS or LPS instillation in mice treated with antibiotics. n = 4–5 per group. *P < 0.05. (C) IL-17 was detected by the intracellular staining of cells from the lungs 24h after instillation. Quantitative data of absolute number of Th17 cells are shown in the right. n = 4 per group. *P < 0.05. (D) F4/80+CD11c+ fraction in the BAL fluid were separated by FACS and the IL-23 mRNA levels were measured with quantitative RT–PCR. n = 4 per group. *P < 0.05.