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. 2022 Feb 2;208(1):33–46. doi: 10.1093/cei/uxac012

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Continuous transcutaneous sensitization of imiquimod (IMQ) does not accelerate autoimmunity in NZBWF1 (BWF1) mice. IMQ was topically administered on one ear to 20-week-old female BWF1 mice three times weekly for 12 weeks. (A) The survival curves are shown (IMQ[−]: N = 14, IMQ[+]: N = 15). (B) Spleen weight (left) and the total number of splenocytes (right) from untreated BWF1 mice, treated with IMQ for 12 weeks, or moribund. (C) The numbers and percentages of CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells in splenocytes from untreated mice, treated with IMQ for 12 weeks, or moribund were obtained through a flow cytometric analysis (IMQ[−]: N = 14, IMQ[+]: N = 15). (D) Total IgM and IgG in the serum of BWF1 mice that were treated with IMQ for 12 weeks or moribund (IMQ[−]: N = 14, IMQ[+]: N = 15). (E) The percentages and numbers of follicular helper T cells (Tfh: CD4+ TCRβ+ CXCR5hi PD-1hi) in splenocytes from untreated mice, treated with IMQ for 12 weeks, or moribund were obtained through a flow cytometric analysis (IMQ[−]: N = 14, IMQ[+]: N = 15). (F) Serum was collected before, and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, and the anti-dsDNA antibody (Ab) level was measured by an ELISA (IMQ[−]: N = 14, IMQ[+]: N = 15). The results were analyzed by a log-rank test (A) or a two-tailed Student’s t-test (B–F). Each dot represents an individual mouse. Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences (∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001) (ns: not significant).