FIGURE 4.

Time course of IL-8 mRNA expression stimulated with CD40 ligand (•) or TSH (▪) in cultured fibrocytes was determined by qRT-PCR. This experiment shows that these ligands, which participate in the development of thyroid-associated orbitopathy, induce IL-8 production at the pretranslational level. Fibrocytes were isolated for 10 to 14 days in culture and stimulated with CD40 ligand or TSH for times indicated. The cells were harvested and IL-8 RNA was assessed by PCR. Values are reported as mean “fold” induction.