Figure 2

Itk gene expression is modulated in splenocytes. RNAse protection assay was performed to evaluate the level of Itk mRNA in splenocytes that were untreated (ctrl) or treated with dexamethasone (DEX, 100 nM). The Itk probe protects a 174-bp fragment and the β-actin probe protects a 250-bp fragment. A representative experiment is shown in the top panel. After autoradiographic exposure (shown in the figure), the radioactivity of protected probes was evaluated using Instant Imager-Packard. The Itk/β-actin cpm ratio is reported in the middle panel. Fold modulation (bottom panel) was calculated by dividing the Itk/β-actin cpm ratio of DEX-treated cells by that of the respective untreated control. Values represent the mean (±SD) of three independent experiments. Fold modulation, shown on a logarithmic scale base 2 (bottom panel), were statistically significant (**P < 0.01, according to the Student’s t-test).