Toll-Like Receptors and Cytokines as Surrogate Biomarkers for Evaluating Vaginal Immune Response following Microbicide Administration
Figure 8
Levels of cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-) in CVL after intravaginal application of nisin (15.15 mM in 2 mL of 1% polycarbophil gel) SDS (56 M in 2 mL of 1% polycarbophil gel) and 2 mL of 1% polycarbophil gel for 14 consecutive days. CVL are collected on day 15, separated from cell debris by centrifugation and used for cytokine determination as per the protocol given in the material and methods section. Each value is the mean SD of six observations from three separate experiments. No significant difference in cytokine levels was observed between placebo and nisin gel treated groups. In contrast the levels were significantly increased in SDS gel treated animals ( values are statistically significant at ).
