Figure 3.

Adoptive transfer of IFNγ-B cells during atherosclerosis development affects the T_FH–GC B cell axis. (A) ApoE^−/− mice were fed a Western type diet for 7 weeks. After 2 weeks they received a perivascular collar and were treated with PBS, freshly isolated B cells (B cells) or B cells stimulated with 20.0 ng/ml IFNγ for 24 h (IFNγ-B cells). Mice received a total of three injections and injections were spaced every two weeks. After 7 weeks, mice were sacrificed and spleens were analyzed with flow cytometry. Flow cytometry quantification of (B) follicular (FO) B cells, (C) marginal zone (MZ) B cells, (D) extracellular staining of germinal center B cells, (E) intracellular staining of germinal center B cells, (F) CD45.1⁺ germinal center B cells, (G) PD-L1^hi germinal center B cells, (H) PD-L1⁻ germinal center B cells and (I) flow charts and quantification of follicular helper T cells (CD44^hiPD-1⁺CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺). Data are analyzed with a One-Way ANOVA and shown as mean ± SEM (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001). n = 10–12/group.