Fig. 2. Mγ-Mφs produce a large amount of inflammatory cytokines in response to β-(1,3)-glucan. Cytokine production (A, TNF-α; B, IL-6; C, IL-1β) by macrophages derived from peripheral blood cells from healthy controls (n=6) in response to β-(1,3)-glucan (A, 20 µg/mL; B and C, 100 µg/mL) was analyzed using a cytometric bead array kit. CD14⁺ monocytes were differentiated in the presence of M-CSF (M-macrophages, M-Mφs) or M-CSF and IFN-γ (M-gamma macrophages, Mγ-Mφs). M-Mφs and Mγ-Mφs (1×10⁶ cells/mL) were stimulated with β-(1,3)-glucan for 24 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. ^aP<0.001. TNF, tumor necrosis factor; IL, interleukin; M-CSF, macrophage colony-stimulating factor; IFN, interferon.