Figure 3

IFN-γ production by NK cells was significantly increased following co-culture with autologous BCG-infected DCs. Monocyte-derived DCs were cultured for three days and infected with BCG (MOI 5) for 24 h. Autologous NKp46+ cells were enriched from peripheral blood and cultured with BCG-infected DCs at a ratio of 5 NK cells per DC. NK cells cultured with media, BCG, uninfected DCs or with recombinant bovine IL-12 and recombinant human IL-18 served as controls. After 18 h of co-culture, supernatants were assayed for IFN-γ and IL-12 production by ELISA. Pooled data from five calves represents the average levels ± SD of IFN-γ (pg/mL) produced (A). Pooled data from five calves represents the average levels ± SD of IL-12 (BU/mL) produced (B). Data were normally distributed (p > 0.05) and significance between co-culture conditions was assessed using 2-sample t tests; p < 0.05*.