Figure 9.

Shikonin inhibits T-cell mTOR signaling in vitro. The protein expressions of phosphorylated p70S6K (P-p70S6K), p70S6K, P-mTOR, and mTOR in T cells were measured using western blotting analysis 2 days after T cells were stimulated in vitro with anti-CD3/CD28 Abs in the absence or presence of shikonin. A representative of Western blot images of P-p70S6K, p70S6K, p- mTOR, and mTOR expressions was shown (left panel). GAPDH was used as a loading or internal control. OD values (relative to GAPDH, right panel) in column graphs are presented as means ± SD from three separate experiments (*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, n = 3).