Figure 6.

Topical NTN-1 reduces Th17 immune response mediated by activated DCs in DED. (A) Single-cell preparations from DLNs were prepared and analyzed by flow cytometry. The gating strategies are justified by appropriate isotype control antibodies. (B) Representative flow cytometry plots of CD11c⁺CD86⁺ DCs (i), CD11c⁺MHC-Ⅱ⁺ DCs (ii), and IL-17⁺CD4⁺ T cells (iii) in the DLNs. (C) Frequencies of CD11c⁺CD86⁺ DCs in the DLNs (n = 4 mice). (D) Frequencies of CD11c⁺MHC-Ⅱ⁺ DCs in the DLNs (n = 4 mice). (E) Frequencies of IL-17⁺CD4⁺ T cells in the DLNs (n = 4 mice). (F–I) mRNA expression levels of Th17-related genes in conjunctiva (the conjunctiva tissues of four eyes were pooled together as a sample; n = 3). (J–K) Protein expression levels of Th17-related genes in conjunctiva (the conjunctiva tissues of four eyes were pooled together as a sample; n = 3). Three independent experiments were pooled in the statistical analysis. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.