Figure 2.

Plasma cell apoptosis is increased in SRBC immunized Cγ1^Cre/wtPtpn6^fl/fl mice

Apoptosis rate on PCs was analyzed 5 days post SRBCs immunization in Cγ1^Cre/wtPtpn6^fl/wt and Cγ1^Cre/wtPtpn6^fl/fl mice.

(A) Representative dot plots show apoptosis rate based on the binding of Annexin V and the dead cell dye 7-AAD (pregated on PCs; top panel). Annexin V⁺ 7-AAD^- cells were considered as early apoptotic cells, and Annexin V⁺ 7-AAD⁺, cells as late apoptotic cells. Summary data (bottom panel; % of plasma cells; results are combined from two independent experiments).

(B) Active caspase-3 expression on IgG1⁺ or IgM⁺ PCs. Graphs on the right show the percentage of active caspase-3⁺ cells within IgG1⁺ or IgM⁺ plasma cells. Results are combined from three independent experiments.

(C) Spleen sections from Shp1^fl/wt and Shp1^fl/fl mice staining for B cell follicles (IgD, green), T cell zone (CD4, blue), and PCs (IRF4 in red) in the top, or active caspase-3⁺ cells (Caspase-3 in red) in the bottom. Ratio of active caspase-3⁺ pixel/IRF4⁺ pixel, representative of one of two independent experiments. Each symbol corresponds to one animal; horizontal lines indicate the mean. n.s. not significant, ∗p < 0.05 (two-tailed t test).