Figure 3.

ZnONWs exposure induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators by cultured macrophages. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in culture supernatants from cells exposed to PBS or particles (ZnONPs, ZnONWs, and SiONPs) were analyzed using ELISA. IL-1β and LTB₄ levels were measured in BMDMs exposed for 6 h. Cells were primed with LPS (10 ng/ml) for 3 h and washed and then treated with ZnONWs, ZnONPs, SiONPs, or PBS (A). BMDMs were treated with LPS (10 ng/ml) or PBS for 3 h and washed then treated with or without Baf-A1 for 1 h. Then cells were treated with ZnONWs or PBS for 6 h, IL-6 (LPS-primed), and TNF-α (without LPS priming) levels were measured as indicated (B). RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS (10 ng/ml) or PBS for 3 h and washed then treated with or without CytD (10 μM) for 1 h. Then cells were treated with ZnONWs, ZnONPs, SiONPs, or PBS for 6 h, IL-6 (LPS-primed) and TNF-α (without LPS priming) levels were measured as indicated in (C). Data are representative of three independent experiments in triplicate cultures and values are expressed in ± SEM. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01 non-parametric t test.