Fig. 3

CD40 Ab and OK-432 showed synergistic action in activating mouse DCs. A CD40 Ab and OK-432 synergistically activated the expression of CD80. The experiment was performed in six groups, including three control groups and three test groups. Compared with the control groups (Neg-Ctrl, Ag-Ctrl, and TNF-α), the expression of CD80 was separately improved by CD40 Ab and OK-432; the improvement in the synergistic group was most significant. B CD40 mAb and OK-432 synergistically activated the expression of CD86. The expression of CD86 showed the same tendency as CD80 in (A). C CD40 mAb and OK-432 activated the population of CD11c⁺CD11b⁻CD8⁺ subset of DCs. The synergistic group (CD40 Ab + OK-432) showed a significant improvement in the number of CD11c⁺CD11b⁻CD8⁺ DCs. D Combination of CD40 Ab and OK-432 modestly affected the secretion of TGF-β. Combination of CD40 Ab and OK-432 affected the secretion of TGF-β. Value represents mean ± standard error of mean. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01. E Combination of CD40 Ab and OK-432 suppress the secretion of IL-10. F Combination of CD40 Ab and OK-432 improve the secretion of IL-12. G Combination of CD40 Ab and OK-432 improve the ratio of IL-12/IL-10. The combinational group boosts the secretion of IL-12 and suppresses IL-10. Value represents mean ± standard error of mean. P-value represents the comparison of control group versus tested groups