Figure 1

TLR and cytokine expression profile of spleen from DA rats with pristane-induced arthritis. The mRNA expression (a) of TLR1-9 at d0, 6 and 26, (b) of TLR3 at d0, 2, 6, 12 and 26, (c) and of cytokines at d0, 6 and 26 in spleen of rats was measured by Real-time quantitative PCR (n = 8 to 10 for each time point). Relative mRNA expression was compared with β-actin. Protein expression of TLRs in spleen was detected by FACS at d0, 6 and 26 (n = 3 for each time point). The positive splenocyte proportion (d) of cell surface and intracellular TLR3, and cell surface TLR2 and TLR4 is showed in the course of arthritis. Data were collected after correction for isotype-matched IgG control. Values are shown as means ± SEM. Levels of significance between the pristane treated group (6, 26 days) and untreated group (0 day) were calculated by using Mann-Whitney U test (* P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001).