FIG 1.

TNF-α, but not P. falciparum-iRBC lysates, significantly increases surface expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HBMECs. HBMEC monolayers were incubated for 20 to 24 h with the indicated stimuli before determination of surface ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 levels (expressed as fold change over medium control). (A) TNF-α, (B) IFN-γ, (C) IL-6, and (D) IL-1β were tested at a range of physiological concentrations. (E and F) The dosages of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBCs), iRBC lysates (iRBCLs), uninfected red blood cells (RBCs), and RBC lysates (RBCLs) are expressed as number of RBCs or iRBCs (×10⁶) per surface area (square centimeters) of the cell culture well. Results are the average from 3 independent experiments with standard deviations. Statistical significance was determined by the Friedman test with Dunn’s multiple-comparison test (*, P < 0.05).