Anti-CD28 reduced CLP-induced splenocytes apoptosis
T lymphocyte subsets differentiation and lymphocytes apoptosis played an important role in septic rats[26, 27]. The proportion of spleen cell apoptosis was significantly increased in CLP mice, with reduced nucleus number, irregular shape of the nucleus, state of condensation or nuclear fragments appear, while anti-CD28 relieved such spleen apoptosis significantly (Fig.7a, b). The BCL-2 and Bax signaling pathways are required in spleen homogenate for apoptosis in CLP-induced septic mice[28]. As illustrated in Figure.7c, expression of the BCL-2 was significantly increased after anti-CD28 challenge (Fig.7d, p<0.01), while expression of the Bax was remarkably decreased (Fig.7e, p<0.01).