Figure 1. Flow cytometric analysis of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Treg subpopulations
CD4+CD25+FOXP3highT cells are counted as total Tregs and CD4+CD25+FOXP3highCD45RAT cells in CD4+ T cells (Fraction II in the Treg subpopulations) are counted as activated Tregs (a). Data are presented in box-plots which display the minimum value, 25th, 50th, 75th, maximum value, and describe means as X (b). For the evaluation of T cell receptor (TCR)-Vβ usage of each T cell subsets by flow cytometry, CD4+CD25 T cells in CD4+ T cell are classified as conventional T cells (Tcons) and CD4+CD25+CD127lowT cells are classified as Tregs. Each T cell subset IS sorted with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-TCR-Vβ family antibodies (c). The data for the percentage of each T cell subset (Tcons in CD4+ T cell, Tregs in CD4+ T cell) are presented as box-plots (d). *p= 0.0123, **p = 0.0123, ***p = 0.0113. n.s; not significant. (Wilcoxon rank-sum test).
Figure 2. The usages of 24 TCR-Vβ families in CD4⁺ T cells
Data are represented as box-plots. Analysis was performed in the control group (Cnt, n=22) and autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) group (AIN, n = 17). *Vβ 9, p = 0.0252, **Vβ 17, p = 0.0361 (Wilcoxon rank-sum test).
Figure 3. The usages of 24 TCR- Vβ families in regulatory T cells (Tregs) (CD4+CD25+CD127lowT cells) and conventional T cells (Tcons) (CD4+CD25 T cells)
Data are represented as box-plots. Analysis was performed in the control group (Cnt, n = 22) and autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) group, (AIN, n = 17). Upper clonograph: T cell receptor (TCR) in Tregs. Lower clonograph; TCR in Tcons. *Vβ9-Treg; p = 0.0031, **Vβ17-Treg; p = 0.0234, ***Vβ20-Treg; p = 0.0218, ****Vβ21.3-Treg; p = 0.0262, *****Vβ17-Tcon; p = 0.0325 (Wilcoxon rank-sum test).