Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet: PLY-EVs induce dendritic cell maturation and inflammatory cytokine release upon internalization (A) Confocal microscopy images showing the internalization of CFSE-labelled PLY (0.1) and naive EVs (green) by THP-1-monocyte-derived DCs at 24 h post-treatment. Scale bars, 25 μm. (B) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 3) to quantify the DC uptake of CFSE-labeled PLY(0.5)EVs and naive EVs. (C) Dose-dependent uptake of PLY (0.1, 0.5) EVs by DCs. (D) Phase-contrast microscopy images of immature day 5 DCs coincubated with PLY (0.1, 0.5) EVs and naive EVs for 24 h. Arrows indicate matured DCs (magnified in inset). Scale bars, 50 μm. Images are representative of three independent experiments. (E–G) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 3) to quantify the expression levels of (E) CD80, (F) CD86, and (G) CD83 on THP-1-monocyte-derived DCs treated with PLY(0.5) and naive EVs. (H and I) Flow cytometry histograms ( N = 2) showing the expression levels of DC maturation marker CD83 at 96 h post-incubation of primary human monocytes with (H) PLY(0.5) and naive EVs and (I) naive EVs pre-treated with recombinant PLY protein (naive EVs+rPLY). (J and K) Cytokine ELISA showing the levels of secreted TNF-α from (J) DCs treated with PLY (0.1) EVs or naive EVs alone ( N = 3) for 24 h and (K) DCs pre-treated with PLY (0.1,0.5) or naive EVs for 24 h followed by subsequent infection with S. pneumoniae , T4R strain ( N = 2). Recombinant PLY (0.5 μg/mL) was used as positive control. All data are represented as mean ± SEM. ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.005, and ∗∗∗ p < 0.001 by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. n.s., not significant. See also Figures S6–S9 .

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Confocal Microscopy, Derivative Assay, Flow Cytometry, Labeling, Microscopy, Expressing, Marker, Incubation, Recombinant, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Infection, Positive Control

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet: Adoptive transfer of EVs from infected mice drives inflammation and pathology in a PLY-dependent manner (A) C57BL/6 mice were intranasally administered with 4 × 10 6 CFU of serotype 4 strain, T4 or the isogenic PLY mutant strain, T4Δply. At day 4 post-infection, EVs isolated from BALF were labeled and administered to healthy recipient mice at 35 μg/mice. The EV retention in murine respiratory tract was imaged by IVIS imaging and immune infiltration into lungs, and cytokine levels in BALF was measured. (B) Bacterial load in murine BALF ( N = 5 mice/group) upon infection with T4 and T4Δply strains was measured by CFU dilution assay. ∗∗ in (B) indicates p < 0.01 by Mann-Whitney test. (C) Quantification of relative total EV protein content from mice ( N = 3 mice/group) infected with T4 and T4Δply strains by BCA protein assay. PBS-treated mice served as control. ∗ and ∗∗ in (C) indicates p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively, by unpaired t test. (D) IVIS imaging of mice intranasally administered with Nile-red-labeled EVs isolated from mice infected with T4 (EVs-T4) or T4Δply (EVs-T4Δply). EVs from PBS-treated mice (naive EVs) served as control. ROI intensity values indicate the total flux (photons/sec) recorded from the given region showing higher intensity of EVs from T4-infected mice in the respiratory tract. The color scale (photons/sec/cm 2 ) indicates the relative intensities of individual signals. (E and F) Flow cytometry analysis of inflammatory macrophages (F4/80 + ) and neutrophils (Ly6G + ) in BALF of mice ( N = 6 mice/group) administered with EVs from infected or untreated mice at 18 h. (G) TNF-α levels in the BALF of mice ( N = 5 mice/group) treated with EVs isolated from infected or untreated mice were measured post-sacrifice at 18 h by ELISA. ∗∗ and ∗∗∗ in (G) indicates p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively, by unpaired t test. (H) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of mouse lungs ( N = 6 mice/group) at 18 h post-administration of EVs from infected or PBS-treated mice. Mice treated with EVs from T4-infected mice showed tissue microlesions (MLEs) and immune cell infiltration in the alveolar interstitium indicative of PLY-induced tissue damage (magnified in the inset). BR, bronchiole; MLE, microlesions. Scale bars, 200 μm. Blind histopathological scoring was performed based on presence or absence of cellularity in alveolar interstitium and lesions. A score of “0” was given when no lesions were found, and a score of “1” was given to tissue showing increasing cellularity and lesions. Mouse BALF flow cytometry and histology data are representative of three independent experiments. All data are represented as mean ± SEM. See also Figure S12 .

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Adoptive Transfer Assay, Infection, Mutagenesis, Isolation, Labeling, Imaging, Dilution Assay, MANN-WHITNEY, Bicinchoninic Acid Protein Assay, Control, Flow Cytometry, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Staining

Journal: iScience

Article Title: Bacterial pore-forming toxin pneumolysin drives pathogenicity through host extracellular vesicles released during infection

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110589

Figure Lengend Snippet:

Article Snippet: Mouse TNF-α DuoSet ELISA kit , R & D Systems , DY410-05.

Techniques: Virus, Mutagenesis, Isolation, Recombinant, Modification, Saline, Labeling, Staining, Electron Microscopy, Lysis, Western Blot, Buffer Exchange, Bicinchoninic Acid Protein Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Clone Assay, Software, Membrane

Journal: Gastroenterology

Article Title: Cysteine-rich domains of muc3 intestinal mucin promote cell migration, inhibit apoptosis, and accelerate wound healing.

doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2006.09.006

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 6. Effect of Muc3 and MUC3A expression on apoptosis. (A) Western blotting using anti-Flag antibody. Lanes: stably transfected LoVo clone LhM3c14 cytoplasmic fraction (LhM3c14 cyt) and membrane fraction (LHM3C14 MEM), mock-transfected LoVo cell clone membrane fraction (LMOCK MEM), nontransfected LoVo membrane fraction (MEM). (B) Percentage change in apoptosis with () or without () TNF- (100 ng/mL) treatment for 48 hours. Cell lines included parental LoVo, LhM3c14, Lmock, and nontransfected LoVo cells pretreated with m3EGF1,2 (10 g/mL) or GST (5 g/mL) for 1 hour before addition of TNF-. Baseline apoptosis 3.9%. *P .016 vs LoVo (), ^P .009 vs GST, P .002 vs Lmock; n 2–3 plates/treatment and 3 fields counted/plate. (C) Percentage change in apoptosis in nontransfected LoVo cells with () or without () sequential interferon- and anti-Fas antibody treatment for 72 hours. Cells were pretreated with m3EGF1,2 (10 g/mL), m3EGF1 (10 g/mL), m3EGF2 (10 g/mL), GST (10 g/mL), EGF (10 ng/mL), or m3EGF1 (5 g/mL) m3EGF2 (5 g/mL) before additionofanti-Fasantibody.Baselineapoptosis1.1%and.9%forleftandrightpanels,respectively(ANOVA,P.001,withinbothpanels).*P.005vsLoVo, LoVo m3EGF1, m3EGF2 and GST controls (left panel). *P .004 vs LoVo and LoVo m3EGF1 m3EGF2 (right panel); n 2 plates/treatment and 2 fields counted/plate. (D) Percentage change in apoptosis with () or without () sequential interferon- and anti-Fas antibody treatment for 48 hours. Cell lines included LhM3c14andLmock(ANOVA,P.001).Baselineapoptosis2.3%.*P.025vsLmock()andLhMc14()n3plates/treatmentand3fieldscounted/plate. (E) LoVo cells were treated with increasing concentrations of the EGF-receptor inhibitor, tyrphostin (AG1478). This resulted in a dose-dependent reversal of the anti-apoptosis effect of recombinant EGF, but did not affect the anti-apoptosis effect of m3EGF1,2 (ANOVA, P .001). Baseline apoptosis 2.0%. *P .03 vs m3EGF1,2 (same tyrphostin concentrations). (Note that maximal apoptosis observed varied from experiment to experiment because of the limited half-life of the activity of the anti-Fas in storage).

Article Snippet: Apoptosis was measured in histologic specimens using a erminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine riphosphate biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay (TACS.XL n Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit; R&D Systems), according to he manufacturer’s directions.

Techniques: Expressing, Western Blot, Stable Transfection, Transfection, Membrane, Recombinant, Activity Assay

Journal: Gastroenterology

Article Title: Cysteine-rich domains of muc3 intestinal mucin promote cell migration, inhibit apoptosis, and accelerate wound healing.

doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2006.09.006

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 9. Effect of recombinant Muc3 protein on acetic acid–in- duced apoptosis. (A) Mean number of apoptotic cells determined by TUNEL assay in the distal colon of mice 30 hours after acetic acid administration in mice treated twice with 100 g m3EGF1,2 or control peptide 100 g BSA in PBS (n 10 mice each treatment). (B) Repre- sentative distal colon 30 hours after acetic acid and control enema treatments. TUNEL-positive nuclei are stained darkly. (C) Representa- tive distal colon 30 hours after acetic acid and m3EGF1,2 enema treat- ments (magnification, 200).

Article Snippet: Apoptosis was measured in histologic specimens using a erminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine riphosphate biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay (TACS.XL n Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit; R&D Systems), according to he manufacturer’s directions.

Techniques: Recombinant, TUNEL Assay, Control, Staining

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 1. Tumor-associated soluble uPAR (s-uPAR) enhances HUVEC invasion, migration and angiogenesis. (a) Conditioned medium (CM) was collected from tumor cells (parental and stably expressing empty vector (EV), uPAR-cDNA (UR) and uPAR siRNA (UR-Si)). Immunoblot analyses were performed for s-uPAR and DDK using specific antibodies. (b) s-uPAR levels in CM were quantified using uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *po0.01 vs parental control. (c) Cells were labeled (tumor cells: Qtracker-525-Green and HUVECs: Qtracker- 655-Red) and seeded into separate chambers of culture inserts. After 16 h, the culture inserts were removed and cells were allowed to migrate for a further 24 h. Images were captured at 0 and 24 h of incubation and cell migration was quantified using ImageJ software (NIH). The levels of HUVEC migration were normalized to HUVEC migration in parental cells and are represented as arbitrary units. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental control. (d) HUVEC invasion experiments were performed using ThinCertTM inserts as described in Materials and methods. The levels of HUVEC invasion was quantified and normalized to HUVEC invasion in parental-CM. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental-CM. (e, f) In vitro angiogenesis assay was performed as described in Materials and methods. The degree of angiogenic induction by CM was quantified by ImageJ software (NIH) for the numerical value of the product of the relative capillary length per microscopic field. Serum-free medium (SFM) and recombinant human uPAR (rh-uPAR) in SFM were used as controls (insets). Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental-CM; **po0.01 vs UR-CM. uPAR antibody, uPAR-Ab; isotype control, NSp.IgG. (g) Migration assay was performed using CM. In this case, both chambers of culture inserts were seeded with HUVECs. After 16 h, the culture inserts were removed, CM was added and cells were allowed to migrate for 24 h. Invasion assay was performed as described above. uPAR-Ab. or Nsp.IgG were added to UR-CM before adding onto cells. rh-uPAR was added to SFM. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental-CM; **po0.01 vs UR-CM.

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Migration, Stable Transfection, Expressing, Plasmid Preparation, Western Blot, Control, Labeling, Incubation, Software, In Vitro, Angiogenesis Assay, Recombinant, Invasion Assay

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 2. s-uPAR recruits onto HUVEC membrane. Conditioned medium (CM) was collected from tumor cells as described in Materials and methods. (a) HUVECs were cultured on CM for 24 h, labeled with anti-uPAR antibody, followed by Alexa Fluor-488-conjugated secondary antibody and were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for uPAR expression. Serum-free medium (SFM) and rh-uPAR were used as controls. Isotype control (Neg.). (b) HUVECs were cultured in chamber slides on CM for 24 h and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% glutaraldedyde in phosphate-buffered saline for 1 h. Immunocytochemical analysis was performed as described in Materials and methods. Isotype control (Neg.; inset). Slides were mounted and photographed. (c) Equal amounts of proteins were used for the extraction of HUVEC membrane fractions and were subjected to immunoblot analysis for uPAR expression using specific antibodies. The blot was re-probed for DDK-tag expression.

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Membrane, Cell Culture, Labeling, FACS, Expressing, Control, Saline, Extraction, Western Blot

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 3. s-uPAR colocalizes in lipid rafts on HUVECs. Conditioned medium (CM) was collected from tumor cells as described in Materials and methods. (a) HUVECs were cultured in chamber slides on CM for 24 h and incubated with anti-uPAR antibody followed by Alexa Fluor-488- conjugated secondary antibody at 4 1C. Cells were again labeled with Alexa Fluor-595-CTxB subunit. Slides were mounted and analyzed by confocal microscopy. Negative controls, using an isotype antibody, showed no staining (inset). Serum-free medium (SFM) and DDK-tag containing rh-uPAR were used as controls. To disrupt lipid rafts, HUVECs were pretreated with MBCD, as described in Materials and methods. (b) HUVECs lipid rafts were isolated as described in Materials and methods. Lipid raft-enriched fractions were analyzed for uPAR and DDK-tag levels using immunoblot analysis. Flotillin-1 and caveolin-1 served as controls. Protein band intensities were quantified by densitometric analysis using ImageJ software (NIH). The levels of uPAR protein were normalized to protein levels in HUVECs cultured on parental-CM. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental-CM. (c) Invasion and migration assays were performed as described in Figure 1d In vitro angiogenesis assay was performed as described in Figure 1. To deplete cholesterol, HUVECs were pretreated with MBCD as described in Materials and methods (c and d). Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *po0.01 vs parental-CM; **po0.01 vs UR-CM.

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Cell Culture, Incubation, Labeling, Confocal Microscopy, Staining, Isolation, Western Blot, Software, Migration, In Vitro, Angiogenesis Assay

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 4. s-uPAR induces ERK/Rac1-mediated migration and tube formation in HUVECs. Conditioned medium (CM) was collected from tumor cells, as described in Materials and methods. (a) HUVECs lysates were used to perform GST-Rac1 pull-down assay. The protein complexes were subjected to immunoblot analysis to detect active Rac1. Rac1 from total cell lysates was used as a control. (b) Total cell lysates were subjected to immunoblot analysis for phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and total ERK1/2. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) served as a loading control. HUVECs grown on rh-uPAR were used as a control. (c) HUVECs were cultured on CM alone and/or supplemented with functional blocking anti-uPAR antibody (uPAR-Ab) or isotype control (Nsp.IgG.) or MEK inhibitor (U0126) for 24 h. Cell lysates or GST-Rac1 pull- down protein complexes were subjected to immunoblot analysis to detect active Rac1, Rac1 pERK1/2 and ERK1/2. GAPDH served as a loading control. (d) HUVECs were transfected with dominant-negative mutant Rac1 (Dn-Rac1) for 24 h and cultured on UR-CM. Micrographs were captured for green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression (green) and phase contrast (gray) immediately after the addition of UR-CM (magnification 60). (e) HUVECs were transfected with Dn-Rac1 for 24 h, cultured on CM for another 24 h, collected and lysed. GST-Rac1 pull- down protein complexes were subjected to immunoblot analysis to detect active Rac1. GFP and Rac1 from total cell lysates were used as controls. (f) HUVECs were transfected with Dn-Rac1 for 24 h and cultured on CM alone and/or supplemented with uPAR-Ab., or Nsp.IgG or U0126 for another 24 h. Invasion and migration assays were performed as described in Figure 1. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 3; *Po0.01 vs parental-CM; **Po0.01 vs UR-CM.

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Migration, Pull Down Assay, Western Blot, Control, Cell Culture, Functional Assay, Blocking Assay, Transfection, Dominant Negative Mutation, Expressing

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 5. Diverse forms of tumor-associated s-uPAR in vitro and in vivo. (a) Conditioned medium (CM) was collected from tumor cells as described in Materials and methods. CM was subjected to deglycosylation using a deglycosylation kit and analyzed by immunoblot for uPAR using specific antibodies. (b) Equal amount of proteins containing HUVEC lysates were used for extraction of cell membrane fractions and were subjected to deglycosylation, and analyzed by immunoblot for uPAR using specific antibodies. (c) In vivo angiogenic assay was performed by using the dorsal air sac model. 4910EV (EV), 4910UR (UR), 4910UR-Si (UR-Si) cells or a recombinant human uPAR (rh-uPAR) containing chamber was implanted in the dorsal cavity of mice. The micrographs for the presence of tumor-induced neovasculature (microvessels with curved thin structures and many tiny bleeding spots) and pre-existing vasculature (straight) were captured. Representative micrographs are shown. (d, e) Blood was collected from mice orthotopically xenografted with stably expressing EV, UR and UR-Si cells. Total uPAR levels were estimated using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The data quantification for a set I (n ¼ 4; d) and set II (n ¼ 6; e), on day 15 and 40, respectively, after cell implantation are shown. Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; *Po0.01 vs parental control. (f) Blood serum (from mice 1–6; on day 40) was subjected to deglycosylation and analyzed by immunoblot for uPAR using specific antibodies. D2-D3, D2-D3 domain containing truncated s-uPAR; D3, D3 domain containing truncated s-uPAR; FL, full-length s-uPAR; .

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: In Vitro, In Vivo, Western Blot, Extraction, Membrane, Recombinant, Stable Transfection, Expressing, Control

Journal: Oncogenesis

Article Title: Tumor-associated soluble uPAR-directed endothelial cell motility and tumor angiogenesis.

doi: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.19

Figure Lengend Snippet: Figure 6. uPAR overexpression enhances tumor growth, vascularity and s-uPAR recruits onto endothelial cells in vivo. (a) Stably expressing EV, UR and UR-Si cells were injected intracerebrally into mice. Mice were euthanized and brains were collected and fixed as described in Materials and methods. Brain sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) solution, and representative micrographs are shown (upper panel). H&E-stained micrographs showing the tumor invasive front ( 20; lower panel). (b) Brain tumor areas were calculated using Image Pro Discovery Program software (Media Cybernetics, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA). Columns: mean; bars: s.d.; n ¼ 6; *Po0.01 vs parental controls. (c) Immunohistochemical analysis of brain sections using anti-uPAR and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Blood vessels in tumor sections were visualized with biotin-labeled tomato lectin. Inset: isotype control. (d, e) Fluorescence microscopy for colocalization of an endothelial cell marker (von Willebrand factor (vWF)/anti-CD31) and DDK-tag in tumor sections from mice that were implanted with 4910 EV (EV) and 4910UR (UR) cells. Inset, isotype control.

Article Snippet: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Blood plasma or CM was prepared as mentioned in appropriate sections, and s-uPAR levels were determined using a commercial human uPAR Quantikine Immunoassay kit (R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Techniques: Over Expression, In Vivo, Stable Transfection, Expressing, Injection, Staining, Software, Immunohistochemical staining, Labeling, Control, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Marker

Journal: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Article Title: Astrocyte Senescence and Metabolic Changes in Response to HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Drugs

doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00281

Figure Lengend Snippet: Secretory profile of HAART drug treated HAs. Human astrocytes were treated with the following HAART concentrations: ABC 10 μM, 3TC 5 μM, and RTV 1 μM for 1 week. (A) Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) analysis. Astrocytes were subjected to a 24-h incubation in MCBD105 media to generate conditioned media (CM). The secretory profile was detected by incubating CM on a cytokine membrane array and normalized to cell number. Values are relative to a DMSO control. (B) IL-6 quantitation. CM was collected as in (A) and IL-6 was quantitated by ELISA. (C) Representative Western blot illustrating phosphorylated protein levels of inflammatory mediators p38 and p65. Total p38, total p65, and tubulin were used as a loading control. (D) Quantification of (C) . ∗ p -value < 0.05, n = 3, error bars are SD.

Article Snippet: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection was performed via the Human IL-6 Quantikine ELISA kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, United States) according to the product manual using conditioned media as described above.

Techniques: Incubation, Membrane, Control, Quantitation Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western Blot