Figure 3

A. aegypti SGE inhibits T cell proliferation in a DC-independent fashion. DCs were pre-incubated overnight in the presence or absence of A. aegypti SGE (final concentrations indicated) and stimulated for 4 h with OVA (100 μg/mL) plus LPS (100 ng/mL). After 3 washings, DCs were co-incubated with CD4⁺ cells from DO11.10 mice for 72 h (A and B). Similar DC/CD4⁺ cultures were also stimulated by Con A for 72 h (C). In some groups, SGE was added again after washing the cells (B and C). Concentration-response effect of A. aegypti SGE on Con A-induced spleen cells proliferation (D). Absence of effect of An. aquasalis (E) and P. dubosqi SGE (F) on Con A-induced spleen cells proliferation. ^*p < 0.05 versus “C” (control); ^#p < 0.05 versus stimulated with OVA + LPS or Con A.