HBsAg induces cytokine production by monocytes.

<p>PBMC from healthy individuals were stimulated with HBsAg. After overnight incubation, cells were stained for CD14, IL-6 and TNF. (<b>A</b>) Gating strategy: Viable monocytes were identified on the basis of their forward-sideward scatter profile and their membrane expression of CD14. (<b>B</b>) Representative intracellular cytokine stainings are presented showing IL-6 and TNF-producing monocytes upon incubation with medium and HBsAg. (<b>C</b>) The frequencies of monocytes producing IL-6 or TNF upon incubation with medium or HBsAg are presented (n = 9, ** p<0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test).