Figure 4.

The effect of sh‐Smad2 or sh‐Smad3 transfection on recombinant TGF‐β1‐mediated increased stability of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_regs in sepsis caused by LPS. The weakened stability of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_regs after transfection with sh‐Smad3, but not sh‐Smad2. Transfection with sh‐Smad3, but not sh‐Smad2, using lentiviral infection destabilized the CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_regs upon LPS stimulation with recombinant TGF‐β1. Statistical figures of Foxp3 (A, B), CTLA‐4 (C, D), and TGF‐β1^m+ (E, F) expressions at the gene and protein levels, and the level of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_regs apoptosis (G). The TGF‐β1 and IL‐10 secretion levels (H). Representative immunofluorescence images of Foxp3, CTLA‐4, and TGF‐β1^m+ expressions, along with the apoptotic level of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T_regs (I). The methylation of foxp3‐TSDR (J, K)