Cytokine production by DCs exposed to LPS and/or ManLAM and PIM from <i>Mtb</i> H37Rv.

<p>After 12 h exposure to ManLAM and/or PIM (at the concentration of 10 µg/ml and 5 µg/ml, respectively), TNF, IL-12p40, IL-6 and IL-10 in DC culture supernatants were assayed by ELISA. The level of cytokines released upon exposure to LPS (100 ng/ml) is shown as 100% of activation (dashed line). Background levels (not-treated cells) are 0%. The median percentage change in cytokine production is shown as a line. The box defines the 75th and 25th percentiles and the whiskers define the maximum and minimum values of 3–9 donors/group. Groups significantly different from LPS-treated control are labeled with asterisks. Vertical bars designate significant differences between treatment groups. Wilcoxon matched pair test was used to assess statistical significance (*P<0.05, **P<0.01).