FIG 5.

Chemokine (IL-8) production by human vaginal epithelial cells after 6-h exposure to TSST-1 (10 µg), TSST-1 (10 µg plus 20 µl of antibodies [Ab] against CD40), SEB (10 µg), SEB (10 µg plus 20 µl of antibodies against CD40), 20 µl of antibodies alone, or cells alone in keratinocyte serum-free medium (KSFM). Bars indicate SD. All responses in the presence of SAg with or without antibodies are significantly greater than HVECs in KSFM alone or KSFM plus antibodies (P < 0.001). Additionally, the responses of SAg alone compared to SAg plus antibodies were significantly different (P < 0.001). Finally, responses to TSST-1 with or without antibodies were greater than SEB with or without antibodies (P < 0.001).