Fig. 9.

The effect of dexamethasone and BIRB-796 on unstimulated CXCL8 release. Macrophages from smoking controls (n = 8; A and C) and COPD patients (n = 8; B and D) were cultured under condition 1 or 2 and then pre-treated with vehicle (DMSO 0.005%), dexamethasone (1 μM), or BIRB-796 (1 μM) for 24 h. Culture supernatants were analysed for CXCL8. Data shown are mean ± SEM of absolute CXCL8 levels or percentage inhibition of CXCL8. * and ** = significant reduction in CXCL8 levels compared to vehicle control (A and B) (p < 0.01). * = significantly higher level of inhibition (C) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively).