Fig. 1

PRDM1 and PRDM2 expression in CD4 + T lymphocyte activation. Bar graphs represent data from qRT-PCR analysis of PRDM1 and PRDM2 main transcripts (BLIMP1a, BLIMP1b, RIZ1, RIZ2) in CD4 + T cells stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. PRDM1 and PRDM2 expression levels in CD4⁺T cells were calculated using the ΔΔCt method with the indicated control gene. A schematic illustration of human PRDM1 and PRDM2 main products and used amplicons is also reported. To amplify PRDM1 two sets of primers, recognizing specific sequences of BLIMP1a and BLIMP1b transcripts, were used. PRDM2 gene expression was verified using two sets of primers recognizing sequences exclusive of RIZ1 or a common region to both RIZ1 and RIZ2 (and indicated as RIZex8). RIZ2 transcript was measured by subtraction as previously described [46]. The ratio between the PR- and PR + transcripts for each gene was also calculated. The relative expression of activation marker genes CD40LG and IL2RA was also measured. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001