Table 1:
Differences in circulating cytokines in Swiss-Webster mice at 3, 12, and 18 months of age. Group differences in cytokine level across age were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by the appropriate post hoc tests. The association between age and cytokine level was further evaluated by determining how well it fit a linear or an exponential increase function. There were significant increases in circulating TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-10, IL-23, IL-27, IFNβ, and IFNγ levels. There was a significant decrease in circulating IL-1β levels. The cytokine levels represent picograms of cytokine protein per milliliter of plasma.
| Cytokine | 3 Months (Mean ± SEM) | 12 Months (Mean ± SEM) | 18 Months (Mean ± SEM) | Group Difference (F value) | Group Difference (F value) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNF-α | 6.59 +/− 3.17 | 20.03 +/− 0.73 | 39.11 +/− 5.06 | 19.47 | P < 0.0001 |
| IL-1β | 86.68 +/− 3.17 | 20.03 +/− 0.73 | 39.11 +/− 5.06 | 80.87 | P < 0.0001 |
| IL-6 | 14.59 +/− 1.54 | 37.30 +/− 15.04 | 20.52 +/− 1.07 | 2.85 | P = 0.08 |
| MCP-1 | 6.28 +/− 0.85 | 13.55 +/− 0.33 | 17.87 +/− 1.56 | 27.85 | P < 0.0001 |
| IL-1α | 41.71 +/− 14.51 | 57.80 +/− 17.05 | 20.58 +/− 2.19 | 2.25 | P = 0.13 |
| IL-10 | 21.81 +/− 3.59 | 180.30 +/− 10.04 | 138.90 +/− 8.24 | 126.80 | P < 0.0001 |
| IL-17 | 21.28 +/− 3.39 | 21.29 +/− 1.04 | 21.71 +/− 2.11 | 0.01 | P = 0.99 |
| IL-23 | 1.86 +/− 0.47 | 34.89 +/− 1.11 | 372.60 +/− 40.97 | 62.80 | P < 0.0001 |
| IL-27 | 53.45 +/− 11.38 | 110.30 +/− 4.08 | 480.40 +/− 17.84 | 298.60 | P < 0.0001 |
| IFNβ | 67.45 +/− 3.45 | 330.60 +/− 12.26 | 271.10 +/− 10.26 | 333.1 | P < 0.0001 |
| IFNγ | 5.30 +/− 2.31 | 27.14 +/− 1.60 | 30.62 +/− 4.48 | 17.98 | P < 0.0001 |
| GM-CSF | 30.01 +/− 11.27 | 46.70 +/− 1.26 | 45.66 +/− 2.48 | 1.59 | P = 0.23 |