Loss of cholinergic phenotype in septohippocampal projection neurons: Relation to brain versus peripheral IL-2 deficiency

► Significant loss of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) positive neurons in medial septum of IL-2KO mice. ► No difference in total cell number between IL-2KO mice and IL-2WT mice in medial septum. ► Decrease in ChAT staining due to loss of cholinergic phenotype in medial septum of IL-2KO mice rather than cell death. ► IL-2KO mice have higher levels of NGF in medial septum than IL-2WT. ► No difference in detectable cytokines and chemokines in medial septum of IL-2KO mice.