Figure 2.

Retargeted BoNT/B reduces the secretion of TNFα from primary human BMDMs. (a) Release of TNFα from human BMDMs monitored by ELISA. When BoNT/B (6 nM) and αB (combined at a 1:1 molar ratio) were incubated with BMDMs for 48 h, the release of TNFα was reduced by 45%. The trial with antibody and BoNT/B alone was not significantly different from the control. Error bars represent SEM (n = 7; p ≤ 0.01). (b) Dose response of retargeted BoNT/B on the release of TNFα from human BMDMs (fitted line colored gray). The concentrations indicated are for BoNT/B, which was preincubated with αB. Error bars represent SEM (n ≥ 3; R² = 0.65; IC₅₀ = 6.1 nM). (c and d) The release of TNFα from human BMDMs from allergic asthmatic patients (c) was reduced by 50%, while BMDMs from allergic patients with no diagnosis of asthma (d) exhibited a 39% reduction when incubated with 6 nM retargeted BoNT/B. Error bars represent SEM (n ≥ 5; p ≤ 0.01).