Fig. 1.

Effects of CpG-C treatment on numbers and cytotoxicity of MH-NK cells and on CD49 expression levels (MFI). Mice were challenged with CpG-C or PBS and 24 h later were sacrificed, their livers were perfused to collect MH-NK cells, and NK number and activity against syngeneic CT26 target cells were assessed. CpG-C administration significantly elevated NK cytotoxicity (a). ET represents the effector cell-to-target cell ratio achieved by twofold serial dilution of MH-leukocytes. CpG-C treatment also significantly elevated the total number of MH-NK cells (CD49⁺ lymphocytes) (b), and their percentage within the lymphocyte population (c). Last, expression levels of CD49 on NK cells were also elevated by CpG-C (d). Data are expressed as mean + SEM. * indicates a significant difference from PBS control levels