Figure 6. rs5743854 G/G allele is associated with increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion after L. pneumophila (Lp) infection.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 62 healthy volunteers in Seattle and stimulated with media, WT Lp (MOI 1) or ΔflaA Lp (MOI 1) for 24 hours. Secreted TNF and IL-6 levels were measured in supernatants via ELISA. TNF responses after A) WT Lp or B) ΔflaA Lp infection, stratified by rs5743854 genotype. Number of individuals tested per genotype -- C/C = 34, G/C = 24, G/G = 4. IL-6 responses after C) WT Lp or D) ΔflaA Lp infection, stratified by rs5743854 genotype. Dots represent cytokine values for individual volunteers. Median value represented by red lines. * p < 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U-test in a recessive genetic model (GG vs (CC + CG)).