Figure 2. IFN-γ-induced HMC3 activation. (A) Experimental flow chart. After seeding HMC3 for 24 h, IFN-γ (100 ng/ml) was added to cells to induce inflammation. After 24 h, CD68 and HMCII expression in cells as well as NO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 release in culture medium were assessed. (B) Immunofluorescence examination of IFN-γ-induced HMC3 activation using antibodies against CD68 and HMCII (red). Cell nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). (C) Levels of NO (measured by Griess reagent), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (assessed by ELISA) in culture medium (n = 3). P values: comparisons between IFN-γ-activated vs. inactive cells (**: P < 0.01, ***: P < 0.001). (two-tailed Student’s t test).