Figure 2. Preoperative defects of monocyte IL-12 production are associated with the development of lethal postoperative sepsis. Monocytes were purified from peripheral blood and stimulated by consecutive exposure to interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-12 p70, IL-12 p40, tumor necrosis factor, and IL-10 in supernatants were determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sep.Surv., sepsis survivors; Leth.Sep., lethal sepsis. *P < .001; #P = .002.