Fig. 1.

Y4 CP–induced IL-1β mRNA expression in undifferentiated and differentiated THP-1 cells. To confirm the reactivity of Y4 CP, undifferentiated and differentiated THP-1 cells were examined with regard to IL-1β mRNA expression. Both cell groups were cultured with Y4 CP (100 µg/ml) or medium alone (control) for 4 h. After treatment, total RNA was prepared. IL-1β mRNA expression was analysed by RT-PCR. The densities of PCR products were expressed numerically using NIH image (N.I.H., USA). The densities of undifferentiated and differentiated THP-1 cells were standardized by GAPDH of each group. (a) The ratio of undifferentiated or differentiated versus control was calculated by the density of each. (b) IL-1β mRNA expression was analysed by real-time PCR.