IFN-α production by PBMCs following TLR stimulation or infection with influenza virus or HSV-1.

<p>Panel A: PBMCs from males (n = 20) or from females (n = 40) were stimulated with Imiquimod as TLR7 ligand, ssRNA40 as TLR8 ligand or infected with influenza virus (PR8). Panel B: PBMC from males or females were stimulated with Poly(I:C) as TLR3 ligand, ODN 2006 as TLR9 ligand or infected with HSV-1. IFN-α was measured in culture supernatants by immunoplex array. Data for each donor are calculated as mean IFN-α production in stimulated cultures – mean IFN-α production of unstimulated cultures. Data are presented as box-and-whisker plots, with boxes extend from the 25^th percentile to the 75^th percentile, with a horizontal line at the median while whiskers extend to the lowest and highest data point. Black stars indicate mean values. Statistical analysis was performed by two-tailed non parametric Mann-Whitney test. Significance levels were fixed at p<0.05. IFN-α concentrations in unstimulated or mock-infected cultures ranged between 2 and 30 pg/ml (mean 9.2±1.4). No significant differences between the groups were detected.