Figure 1

Elevated Tfh cells and IL-21 in VMC. A. Representative pictures of CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺CD4⁺ Tfh cells in VMC mice. Numbers in the upper right quadrants indicate the mean percentages of Tfh cells in VMC mice. All staining samples were restimulated with PMA/ionomycin for 4 h before analysis. B. The results of the Tfh cells statistical analysis. ^▲ P < 0.05, versus control group. ^Δ P < 0.01, versus week 0, 1, 3, 4, and 6 VMC mice. C. Transcription levels of IL-21 in myocardium. IL-21 mRNA transcripts were higher, in the VMC group than in the PBS group. ^▲ P < 0.05, versus control group. ^■ P <0.05, versus week 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 VMC mice. ^★ P <0.05, versus week 0, 3, 4, and 6 VMC mice. D. IL-21 protein levels in serum. IL-21 protein levels were steadily increased in the VMC mice from 1 week after i.p, and reached statistical difference comparing with those of controls. The highest level of IL-21 in VMC occurred on 2nd week. ^▲ P < 0.05, versus control group. ^■ P <0.05, versus week 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 VMC mice, ^★ P <0.05, versus week 0, 2, 3 and 6 VMC mice.