Figure 1.

Tfh cell dynamics in C57BL/6 EAE. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice via MOG_35-55 peptide immunization. (A) EAE course mimicking chronic disease progression, each stage represented by the disease progress of one exemplary mouse. Disease onset (dpi 10–12), peak (dpi 12–16) and partial remission (dpi 22–24) were defined dependent on the EAE course. The mean clinical score was compared between these different disease stages (B). (C–E) Percentage of Tfh cells (CXCR5 + PD-1 +) among T cells (living CD4⁺CD3⁺CD11b⁻CD45.2⁺ lymphocytes) were compared via FACS between the defined disease stages in the CNS (C) and dura mater (D). In addition, pooled Tfh frequencies from different time points (onset, peak, partial remission) of CNS and dura mater were compared (E). Data shown are mean ± SEM (C–E). (F, G) Correlation analysis between the percentage of Tfh cells and the clinical score of the CNS (F) and the dura mater (G). (H ,I) Analysis of the Tfh frequency (H) and the correlation analysis (I) in the Peyer’s patches. Results are representative of two independent experiments. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test (B–E, H) or linear regression (F, G, I). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; ****p < 0.0001. Onset n = 5, peak n = 5, partial remission n = 4.