Figure 3. Phospho-Akt activation and TNF-α production in PM stimulated with V_HCDR3.

PM (3×10⁶/ml) were stimulated for 1 h in the presence or absence (NS) of V_HCDR3, LPS, NC or SP (all at 10 µg/ml). After incubation, cell lysates were subjected to Western blotting. Membranes were incubated with Abs to pAkt and Akt; pAkt was normalized against Akt (A) *, P<0.05 (treated vs untreated cells, n = 5). PM (5×10⁶/ml) were stimulated for 18 h as above described. After incubation, TNF-α level was evaluated in culture supernatants by specific ELISA assays. (B) *, P<0.05 (treated vs untreated cells, n = 5).