NOD2 Agonist Promotes the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines in VSMC in Synergy with TLR2 and TLR4 Agonists

Figure 4

Inflammatory factors production by VSMC in response to MDP alone or in synergy with LPS and PAM3. VSMC have been stimulated by MDP, LPS, and PAM3 alone or in combination for 24 h. IL-8 and TNF-𝛼 concentration in cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. (a) concentration of TNF-𝛼 in supernatant. MDP, LPS, or PAM3 alone can stimulate TNF-𝛼 secretion (MDP: 51.9 ± 4.73 pg/mL; LPS: 64.7 ± 4.21 pg/mL; PAM3: 52.7 ± 3.58 pg/mL; control: 29.4 ± 3.73 pg/mL; ^a𝑃<0.05 versus control, 𝑛=3). The combination of MDP with LPS or PAM3 had stronger stimulation effect. (MDP + LPS: 157.6 ± 6.68; MDP + PAM3: 135.6 ± 5.34; ^b𝑃<0.01 versus MDP; ^c𝑃<0.01 versus LPS; ^d𝑃<0.01 versus PAM3; 𝑛=3). (b) concentration of IL-8 in supernatant. MDP, LPS, PAM3 alone can stimulate IL-8 secretion (MDP: 2.41 ± 0.22 ng/mL; LPS: 2.82 ± 0.26 ng/mL; PAM3: 2.36 ± 0.21 ng/mL; control: 1.02 ± 0.13 ng/mL; ^a𝑃<0.05 versus control, 𝑛=3). The combination of MDP with LPS or PAM3 had stronger stimulation effect. (MDP + LPS: 5.41 ± 0.32 ng/mL; MDP + PAM3: 6.23 ± 0.28 ng/mL; ^b𝑃<0.01 versus MDP; ^c𝑃<0.01 versus LPS; ^d𝑃<0.01 versus PAM3; 𝑛=3).

(a)

(b)