Figure 3

Splenic NKp46^highNK cells produced the highest levels of TNF-α. Analysis of TNF-α production of NKp46-defined NK-cell subsets (CD8α⁺NKp46^-: blue, CD8α⁺NKp46⁺: green, CD8α^dim/-NKp46^high: red) isolated from blood and spleen. FACS-sorted CD3^-CD8α⁺NKp46^- and CD3^-CD8α⁺NKp46⁺ NK cells from blood and CD3^-CD8α⁺NKp46^-, CD3^-CD8α⁺NKp46⁺ and CD3^-CD8α^dim/-NKp46^high NK cells from spleen were stimulated with rhIL-2, rpIL-12 and rpIL-18 (A) or PMA and Ionomycin (B) for 24 h. Supernatants were tested for TNF-α production in ELISA. Bar graphs on the left show data from one representative animal and are displayed as the mean of duplicates ± SD. TNF-α production of four animals analysed are shown on the right. Mean values are represented by a black bar. Significant differences between the subsets in blood or spleen are indicated (* = p < 0.05, ** = p < 0.01).