TNF-α release from iron-manipulated monocytes from patients with HHC and controls.

Shown is TNF-α release from monocytes incubated for 24 hours with desferrioxamine (40 μM), ferric ammonium citrate (100 μM), or nothing and then treated with LPS (5 μg/mL) for 24 hours. Values are mean ± SD. Cells preincubated for 24 hours before LPS stimulation released less TNF-α than cells stimulated with LPS immediately. Preincubation in the presence of desferrioxamine caused a significant increase in TNF-α release, whereas preincubation in the presence of ferric ammonium citrate induced a decrease in TNF-α release. *P < .05, **P < .01, and ***P < .0001 for cells grown in the same experimental conditions and not preincubated with iron or desferrioxamine.