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Fig. 1 | Journal of Translational Medicine

Fig. 1

From: VEGF-A enhances the cytotoxic function of CD4+ cytotoxic T cells via the VEGF-receptor 1/VEGF-receptor 2/AKT/mTOR pathway

Fig. 1

VEGF-A contributes to the enhanced cytotoxicity of CD4 CTLs in GO. A Volcano plot showed differentially expressed genes between GO and GH group. Blue dots represented downregulated genes and red dots were upregulated genes. B PPI network of potential key genes. The shade of colors denoted the degree of the corresponding gene. C Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed cellular response to calcium ion process was obviously enriched in GO patients with higher expression of VEGFA compared with lower VEGFA expression. D Bar plot exhibited the O.D. value of VEGF-A in serum from HC, GH and GO patients (N = 3). E Dot plots showed the expression of GZMB, PRF1, NKG7, GZMK and VEGFR1 in CD4 CTLs and non-CD4 CTLs (other) group from GO patients respectively. Color scale represented z-score and dot size represented percentages of cells. F GSEA showed cytotoxic related processes were obviously enriched in CD4 CTLs from GO patients with higher expression of VEGFR1 compared with lower VEGFR1 expression. G Representative flow cytometry plots showed the ratios of GrmB+, GrmA+ and Prf+ cells in CD4+ T cells in the CON and VEGF-A group (N = 4). The red rectangle and number denoted in it meant GrmB+, GrmA+ and Prf+ subsets and specific ratio respectively. The quantification of the proportions of GrmB+, GrmA+ and Prf+ in CD4+ T cells was displayed on the right. Blue was CON and red for VEGF-A treated. Error bars showed SEM. The data were representative of at least three biological replicates. HC: healthy control; GH: Graves hyperthyroidism; GO: Graves orbitopathy; CON: control; Grm: granzyme; Prf: perforin. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ****P < 0.0001

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