Figure 2. 8.8 CD8⁺ T cells accumulate and acquire a more activated phenotype in the brain compared with spinal cord.

(A–C) EAE was induced by transfer of CD45.1.2⁺ MOG-specific CD4⁺ T cells into CD45.1.1⁺ mice that had received CD45.2.2⁺ 8.8 CD8⁺ T cells 1 day earlier. The numbers of 8.8 CD8⁺ T cells (A), CD45^hi inflammatory cells (B), and donor CD4⁺ T cells (C) were determined for the brain and spinal cord (SC) by flow cytometry on the indicated days after CD4⁺ T cell transfer (n ≥ 8 for each day). (D) EAE was induced by transfer of CD45.1.1⁺ MOG-specific CD4⁺ T cells into CD45.2.2⁺ WT or 8.8 intact mice (n = 12). Mononuclear cells were isolated from the brain and spinal cord 7 days after CD4⁺ T cell transfer and analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage of activated (CD44^hiCD62L^lo) and naive (CD44^loCD62L^hi) 8.8 CD8⁺ T cells is shown. Gating strategies are shown in Supplemental Figure 2. Graphs show mean + SEM (1 symbol per mouse) and are compiled from at least 2 independent experiments. Statistical significance was determined using Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn’s post-test (A–C) or Mann-Whitney U test (D). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001.