The HTLV-1 gp21 fusion peptide inhibits antigen specific T-cell activation in-vitro and in mice
Fig 5
Reduced T-bet expression and elevated Gata3 expression induced by the HTLV FP.
(A-B) MOG35-55–antigen specific T-cells were activated by irradiated MOG35-55 presenting APCs, in the presence of the HTLV FP at 10μM. Total RNA was isolated 24 hours following activation and mRNA expression levels were determined by qRT-PCR. The values of each gene were normalized to Rpl13a as a housekeeping control. The HTLV FP reduces TBX21 (T-bet) mRNA expression and elevates GATA3 mRNA expression. The data is presented as arbitrary units. n≥3. (C-H) MOG35-55–antigen specific T-cells were activated by irradiated MOG35-55 presenting APCs, in the presence of either HTLV or HIV FP at 10μM. Samples were fixed in 4% PFA and stained with anti T-bet-APC and anti Gata3-FITC antibodies (C-D) 24, (E-F) 48 and (G-H) 72 hours following activation. Each time point is represented as cell count vs. APC or FITC fluorescence histogram. Analysis was performed using LSR-II flow cytometer (BD) and FlowJo cell analysis software (FlowJo, LLC). The HTLV FP reduces T-bet expression and elevates Gata3 expression. n = 3. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. ns, not significant; *P<0.05;** P<0.01.