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Fig. 6 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 6

From: Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein promotes Th17 differentiation and collagen-induced arthritis in mice through enhancement of TGF-β-Smad2 signaling in naïve helper T cells

Fig. 6

Leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein (LRG) upregulates the expression of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in naïve CD4 T cells presumably through the enhancement of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling. a, b Naïve CD4 T cells were isolated from the spleen and lymph nodes of wild-type (WT) or LRG knockout (LRG KO) mice (n = 8 in each group) and the expression of IL-6R and gp130 were examined. a Representative data from immunocytochemical analysis of IL-6R. b The expression of IL-6R or gp130 in naïve CD4 T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and representative data are shown in the left panel. Mean values of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) ± SD are shown in the right panel: **p < 0.01. c, d Naïve CD4 T cells obtained from LRG KO mice (n = 3) were stimulated by TGF-β (1 ng/mL) (c) or TGF-β (0.2 or 1 ng/mL) with IL-6 (100 ng/mL) (d). After 24 h of culture, IL-6R expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Values are mean ± SD: *p < 0.05. e The serum levels of soluble IL-6 receptor alpha (IL-6Ra) of WT or LRG KO mice on day 27 of CIA were determined by ELISA. f Naïve CD4 T cells derived from WT and LRG KO mice were stimulated by IL-6 (20 or 50 ng/ mL) in the presence or absence of soluble IL-6R (20 ng/mL) for 30 minutes. STAT3 phosphorylation was determined by western blotting. Relative band intensities of pSTAT3 normalized by STAT3 are depicted at the bottom of the bands. NT non-treated

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