Figure 4.

Cytokine release by human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs) following interaction with Sporothrix species. Sporothrix schenckii and Sporothrix brasiliensis yeasts were made to interact with hMDMs in culture medium supplemented with human serum [whole (wHS) or inactivated (iHS)] for 4–18 h at 37°C and 5% CO₂. The culture supernatants were collected and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β [positive control was the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated hMDM]. Results are the mean ± SEM of at least two independent experiments ran in duplicate (n = 4 or 6). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison posttest (***p < 0.005 and *p < 0.05).