LPS-enhanced transcription of IL-1β is mediated via NF-κB. THP-1 cells were serum-starved overnight and subsequently cultured in the presence of LPS (200 ng/mL) for up to 8 hours. p38 MAPK inhibitor was added 1 hour before LPS treatment. Cells were lysed by adding hot sample buffer (A) or by adding lysis buffer (B). Cell lysates were assayed for phospho-IκB (A) and phospho-NF-κB (B) content. Actin content served as control for equal protein loading. A loading control was prepared to compare between the separate blots. Shown are representative blots of at least 3 independent experiments. (C) THP-1 cells were cultured for 24 hours in the presence or absence of simvastatin (10 μM) and stimulated for an additional 4 hours with 200 ng/mL LPS. The NF-κB inhibitors were added 1 hour before LPS treatment. Release of IL-1β was determined by ELISA; data are mean plus or minus SEM (n = 3, *P < .05).