FIG 5.

Functional profiles of MTBK_24820-specific CD4⁺ T cells based on IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 production. Multifunctional CD4⁺ T cells in the lungs and spleens from each group of immunized mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. At 4 and 9 weeks postinfection, cells were stimulated with MTBK_24820 (5 μg/ml) for 12 h in the presence of GolgiPlug. The percentage of IFN-γ-, ΤΝF-α-, and/or IL-17-producing CD4⁺ T cells in the lungs (A and B) and spleens (C and D) are presented as means ± SD from two independent experiments with five mice. Significant differences compared to the adjuvant control group were analyzed by unpaired t tests (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01).