Fig 8. Maturation of monocytes by GM-CSF after co-cultivation with PMA-activated macrophages.

(A) Representative images of monocytes cultivated after co-culture with macrophages in the presence of GM-CSF. Monocytes were co-cultured with untreated (Control), solvent-treated (Mph-Solvent) or PMA-stimulated macrophages (Mph-PMA). Thereafter monocytes were separated from macrophages, re-seeded and differentiated into macrophages by adding GM-CSF. On day 6 the generated macrophages were analysed. (B) Analysis of the cell population on day 6 showed a high level of apoptosis (Annexin V+) in cells previously co-cultured with PMA-stimulated macrophages (Mph-PMA) or directly treated with PMA for 24 h (PMA). Data are the mean of at least three independent experiments ± SEM, 1-way ANOVA, Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison Test, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.