NIK in CX3CR1-expressing cells drives EAE pathology. (A) Disease course of NIK^ΔCX3CR1 and littermate controls. (B) Maximum EAE score. Data in A and B are the cumulative data of 3 individual experiments. (C) Representative flow cytometry plots with mean percentages ±SEM, and the number of microglia (CD11b⁺CD45^int), infiltrating CD45^high and CD11b⁺CD45^high immune cells into the CNS during the peak of EAE (15 dpi). (D–F) Number of CD4⁺CD90⁺ T cells, (E) MOG-responding cells (CD40L⁺CD44⁺), (F) and IL-17A, IFNγ, or GM-CSF by these T cells after a 6-h MOG_35–55 antigen recall assay in the CNS (brain and spinal cord). (G–I) Number of CD4⁺CD90⁺ T cells, (H) MOG-responding cells (CD40L⁺CD44⁺), (I) and IL-17A, IFNγ, or GM-CSF by these T cells after a 6-h MOG_35–55 antigen recall assay in the dLN and spleen. Duplets and dead cells were excluded before gating on shown cell populations. (J and K) EAE disease development and (K) maximum EAE score in NIK^ΔCD11c mice and littermate controls. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM and analyzed using two-tailed unpaired Student’s t test or two-way ANOVA with Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Each dot represents one mouse. Data (C–K) are from at least two independent experiments. dpi = days after immunization. dLN = draining lymph nodes.