Figure 2.

Mice with a RelB deficiency in dendritic cell display an increased frequency of proliferating Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). (A) Cells from peripheral LN (PLN) and SPL of control and RelB^DCko mice were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface CD4 and intracellular Foxp3 expression. Percentages and absolute numbers of Foxp3⁺ Treg and Foxp3⁻ conventional T cells (Tconv) among CD4⁺ T cells in peripheral lymphoid organs of control mice (n ≥ 7) and RelB^DCko mice (n = 7) are shown. (B) Geometric MFI of CD25, CD44, CD69, PD-1, Helios, and GITR expression by CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ Treg in PLN and SPL of control mice (n ≥ 3) and RelB^DCko mice (n ≥ 3) are displayed. (C,D) Cells from PLN and SPL of control and RelB^DCko mice were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface CD4 and intracellular Foxp3 and Ki67 expression. (C) Representative dot plots showing Ki67 and Foxp3 expression among CD4⁺ T cells. Numbers indicate the percentages of cells in each quadrant. (D) Percentages of proliferating Ki67⁺ Foxp3⁺ Treg and Ki67⁺ Foxp3⁻ Tconv among CD4⁺ T cells in PLN and SPL of control mice (n = 8) and RelB^DCko mice (n = 6) are shown. (A,B,D) Data represent the mean values + SD. Mann–Whitney test was used for statistical analyses: ns, not significant, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.