Characterization of CD4⁺ T Cell Subsets in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Figure 4

Comparatives analysis of CD4⁺ lymphocyte (T_H cell) populations in peripheral blood (PB) () and lesions (AAA) () from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm regarding the frequency (%) of cells positive for the signature cytokines (a–e) and homing molecules (f–i) of the different T_H subsets (T_H1, T_H2, T_H17, and T_H22). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples were cultured for 48 h in the absence of stimulus (white) or in the presence of anti-CD3, anti-CD28, and anti-CD2 antibody-coated beads, with the addition of PMA plus calcium ionophore in the last 6 h of incubation (grey). The mononuclear cell infiltrates (AAA) were expanded in vitro for 15 days and left without stimulation (white) or were stimulated by PMA plus calcium ionophore in the last 6 h of incubation (grey). ; comparison between stimulated and nonstimulated cells (Wilcoxon matched pairs test); ^#comparison between PB and AAA cells (Mann-Whitney test).

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