Figure 1.

Fold change of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) released from preterm (e16) and near-term (e20) placental explants following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments. Explants were incubated with increasing concentrations of LPS (0 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL) for 6 hours. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine supernatant levels of the cytokines IL-6 and TNFα. Explants exposed to 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL LPS (A) demonstrated a significant release in IL-6. *P < 0.05 versus vehicle. Preterm (e16) LPS treated explants had higher IL-6 induction than e20 treated explants. ⁺P < 0.05 versus e20 at each matched dose (1 and 10 μg/mL). Also explants exposed to either 1 μg/mL or 10 μg/mL LPS (B) demonstrated a significant release in TNFα. *P < 0.05 versus vehicle. Preterm (e16) LPS treated explants had higher TNFα induction than e20 treated explants. ⁺P < 0.05 versus e20 at each matched dose (1 and 10 μg/mL).

Note: Bar graphs represent means ± SE of six (e16) or seven (e20) independent experiments.