Figure 1. Suppression of CIA in Foxp3creRORγtfl/fl mice
a) Lymphocytes from the draining lymph nodes were harvested from Foxp3wtRORγtfl/fl mice (n = 5) and Foxp3creRORγtfl/fl mice (n = 5) at 10 days after immunization of type II collagen (CII). The expression of RORγt in Foxp3+Treg cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. b-c) Foxp3wtRORγtfl/flmice (n =13) and Foxp3creRORγtfl/flmice (n = 17) were immunized intradermally with CII emulsified with complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) on days 0 and 21. Incidence (b) and severity (c) of CIA were analyzed from 0 to 75 days after the first immunization of CII. Data were obtained from three independent experiments. d) At 56 days post first CII immunization, joint pathology was evaluated on decalcified hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Inflammation and bone erosion scores were assessed in both groups. e) At 75 days post first CII immunization, serum samples were collected from Foxp3wtRORγtfl/fl mice (n = 7) and Foxp3creRORγtfl/fl mice (n = 6) for measurement of CII-specific total IgG levels.