Tenascin C upregulates interleukin-6 expression in human cardiac myofibroblasts via toll-like receptor 4

Figure 4 Tenascin C upregulates interleukin-6 expression in human cardiac myofibroblasts via toll-like receptor 4. A and B: Effect of TNC (0.1 μmol/L, 24 h) with and without 1 h pre-incubation in TLR4 antisera (25 μg/mL) on IL-6 mRNA (A) and IL-6 protein expression (B) in CMF (4-5 donors). Data expressed as mean ± SEM. ^bP < 0.01 vs vehicle (ANOVA post-hoc). TNC: Stimulation with TNC alone; TLR4-Ab: Pre-incubation with TLR4 neutralising antisera; TNC/TLR4-Ab: Stimulation with TNC following TLR4 pre-incubation; C: Effect of 1 h pre-incubation in TLR4 antisera (25 μg/mL) on IL-1α (10 ng/mL, 24 h)-stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression in CMF (n = 3 donors). The TLR4 neutralising antisera had no effect on IL-1α induced IL-6mRNA expression. Data expressed as mean ± SEM. ^dP < 0.0001 vs vehicle (ANOVA post-hoc). IL-1: Stimulation with IL-1α alone; TLR4-Ab: Pre-incubation with TLR4 neutralising antisera; IL-1/TLR4-Ab: Stimulation with IL-1α following TLR4 pre-incubation; TNC: Tenascin C; CMF: Cardiac myofibroblasts; IL: Interleukin; TLR: Toll-like receptor.