FIG 5.

Blocking IL-12p40 signaling differentially impacts MAPS2-induced IFN-γ or IL-17 responses and protection against Mtb lung infection or dissemination. To block IL-12p40 signaling, mice (n = 5 per group) received 500 μg anti-IL-12p40 antibody (p40) 1 day before and 3 days after each vaccination with Alum or MAPS2. The control groups received 500 μg isotype control antibody (iso). Mice received three vaccinations in total. Two weeks after the last immunization, peripheral blood was taken for cellular response analysis. (A) IFN-γ and IL-17A levels in culture supernatants after stimulation of whole blood with a mixture of Mtb proteins. (B) Two weeks after bleeding, mice were infected with Mtb. One month later, lungs and spleens were harvested for CFU enumeration. Bars indicate medians plus 95% confidence interval. Lines indicate medians. Dashed lines represent the lower detection limit.