FIG 4.

CS2-SBP1-KO parasites induce higher expression levels of immune response genes than do CS2-WT parasites. (A) Macrophages were stimulated with CS2-WT iRBCs (circles) or CS2-SBP1-KO iRBCs (squares) for the indicated times. RNA was extracted, and mRNA levels of TNF, IL-10, MIP-1α, NOS2, IL-12α, IL-12β, and IL-18 were measured by using RT-qPCR. Fold changes over the value for the no-stimulus control are shown (n = 4); ratio-paired t tests were performed, and a P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Connecting lines indicate paired CS2-WT- and CS2-SBP1-KO-stimulated samples from the same experimental repeat. (B) Macrophages were stimulated with uRBCs, CS2-WT iRBCs, or CS2-SBP1-KO iRBCs for indicated times; cell culture supernatants were collected; and levels of TNF and IL-10 were measured by an ELISA. Data shown are those after subtraction of the uRBC background (n = 3) and represent means; error bars represents standard errors of the means. Ratio-paired t tests were performed, and a P value of <0.05 was considered significant.