Figure 3. RSV M-null infection induces T cell responses of similar magnitude to recWT infection.

BALB/c mice were infected with either RSV recWT or RSV M-null, and lungs were harvested on days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. Total numbers of (A) CD11a^hiCD49d⁺ CD4 T cells, (B) CD11a^hiCD8^lo CD8 T cells, and (C) M2₈₂-, (D) M2₁₂₇-, (E) F₈₅-, and (F) F₂₄₉-tetramer⁺ CD8 T cells were quantified. Total numbers of (G) CD4 T cells and (H) CD8 T cells producing IFN-γ after re-stimulation with G₁₈₃ and M2₈₂ peptides, respectively, were determined by intracellular cytokine staining. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of 2–3 independent experiments (n=8 for days 6 and 10 and n=12 for day 8). Groups were compared using Student’s t test, ** p<0.01.