Islet transplantation in patients with autoimmune diabetes induces homeostatic cytokines that expand autoreactive memory T cells
J. Clin. Invest. Paolo Monti, et al. 118:1806 doi:10.1172/JCI35197 [Go to this article.]

Figure 6
Effector function of proliferating cells is affected by immunosuppression. (A) IFN-γ production in cells relative to Ki-67 positivity. The percentage of cells in IFN-γ⁺ and Ki-67⁺ quadrants is shown. Freshly isolated Ki-67⁺ cells did not produce IFN-γ, but spontaneously became IFN-γ⁺ following removal of immunosuppressive drugs and 48-h in vitro culture without stimulation. The experiment was performed on cells obtained from patient hSR-055-ITA-Ed06 125 d after the first islet infusion, 55 d after the last daclizumab dose, and while receiving rapamycin and FK506 maintenance therapy. (B) Effect of immunosuppressive drugs on in vitro activation of a GAD65-specific CFSE-labeled T cell clone in the presence of the cognate peptide and IL-7. Activation was measured by proliferation (reduction of CFSE) and IFN-γ production. Numbers denote percentage of cells in the respective quadrants. Used in combination, rapamycin plus MMF blocked both proliferation and IFN-γ production.