Different cellular combinations reveal synergism between uroepithelial cells and monocytes for UPEC-induced IL-10 synthesis.

<p>(A) Uroepithelial cells and monocytes in 96 well microtitre plate co-cultures produced peak levels of IL-10 protein (32-34 pg/mL) compared to monocultures that yielded 16-17 pg/mL following infection. T-cells did not increase IL-10 levels. (B) Substitution of monocytes with macrophages showed much higher levels of IL-10 with or without uroepithelial cells (> 200 pg/mL), but there was no significant difference between the two infected conditions (all infected groups significantly above controls, p ≤ 0.001; monocyte monocultures vs. monocyte co-cultures with uroepithelial cells, * p = 0.002; macrophage monocultures vs macrophage-uroepithelial dual co-cultures, ^‡ p = 0.003; SEM bars). (Mon = monocyte, Ep = uroepithelial cell, T = T-cell, MΦ = macrophage, Control = uninfected cells).