FIG 7.

SmeZ presentation by the neutral-risk allele significantly increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 and upregulated Th1 transcription factor Tbx21 mRNA. (A and B) Cell-free culture supernatants from stimulated splenocytes were analyzed for IFN-γ production (A) and IL-2 production (B). (C) mRNA expression levels of the Th1 master transcription factor Tbx21 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR in splenocytes stimulated with 1 ng/ml of SmeZ. Results are shown as bar graphs and indicate the mean levels of IFN-γ or IL-2. Tbx21 mRNA was normalized against GAPDH expression. Error bars represent the SEM from the means of results from at least three biological replicates. *, P ≤ 0.05.