Figure 2

Foxp3 is significantly augmented in liver tissue of patients infected with HBV. Liver biopsy samples from healthy controls and patients with CHB or ACLF were used for the detection of Foxp3 mRNA by qPCR (A) and visualization of Foxp3 by immunohistochemistry (B) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (C, D). (A) Relative mRNA expression of Foxp3 in liver tissues. Error bars indicate SD; *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01. (B) In situ expression of Foxp3 in liver tissues. The Foxp3 expressing cells are stained brown. Representative results are shown from three independent experiments (100 × magnification). (C, D) Co-localization of Foxp3 with CD4 or CD8 in liver tissues from CHB patients. Anti- Foxp3 (red); anti- CD4 (green); anti- CD8 (green); and DAPI (blue). Representative results are shown from three independent experiments (200 × magnification). The right panels represent the enlarged portion of the indicated (white hatched box) area in the left panels.