Ex vivo attenuation of LPS-stimulated cellular cytokine release in blood from G-CSF-treated donors.

Blood from volunteers was drawn at different times after injection of G-CSF (480 μg) or placebo and stimulated ex vivo with 10 μg/mL LPS. After 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, released cytokines were measured in cell-free supernatants by ELISA. Amounts of TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-1β were calculated per monocyte counts; IFN-γ release was expressed per milliliter whole blood. Data represent means ± SEM of the G-CSF treatment group (n = 6) and of the placebo group (n = 4). *P < .05, **P < .01 versus pretreatment values (t = 0 hours). ⁺P < .05,⁺⁺P < .01 versus placebo group.