Figure 2.

Age-related changes in the transcriptional (mRNA) levels for IL-2, IL-2Rα, IL-2Rγ, IL-10, IFNγ, IL-4, and IFNγ/IL-4. mRNA levels were determined 12 hours after stimulation of PBMCs with Con A.

Notes: The control mRNA levels (gray bars) and mRNA levels induced by con-A stimulation (open bars) in PBMCs are shown in each age-group. IL-2, IL-2Rα, and IFNγ mRNA levels were significantly increased only in young or middle-aged dogs (P < 0.05). IL-4 mRNA expression was significantly increased in all age-groups after Con-A stimulation (P < 0.05).

Abbreviations: IL, interleukin; PBMCs, peripheral blood mononuclear cells; IFN, interferon.