Figure 4

AST induction of IL-12 mRNA production by macrophages. Immature macrophages were differentiated from human monocytes in culture and untreated (control) or treated with either AST, a combination of IFNγ and LPS (Mat; Mature), or both as indicated. Real-time PCR analyses of mRNA indicated that AST treatment rapidly induced production of several cytokines including both the subunits of IL-12, similar to that observed after maturation with IFNγ and LPS (with the exception of CXCL10). Treatment with both AST and IFNγ/LPS was additive only in the case of the IL-12 p40 subunit.