Fig. 5
Effect of tick saliva on inflammatory mediator production by human dermal fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts were plated at 5 × 105 cells per well and cultured for 24 h in the presence of medium alone (unst), with added live B. burgdorferi 10:1 (Bb), B. burgdorferi + 64 μg saliva (Bb + Saliva), saliva alone (Saliva), 5 mM pilocarpine control (PC), or Bb + PC. The concentrations of IL-6 a and IL-8 b were determined by antigen capture ELISA. Cells exposed to B. burgdorferi and tick saliva as well as cells exposed only to tick saliva showed a significant increase in inflammatory mediator production; a IL-6, P < 0.0001 and b IL-8, P < 0.0001. Each experiment was performed twice, in triplicate. Error bars represent standard deviation between three culture replicates tested in duplicate wells by ELISA