E₂ enhances the secretion of IL-6 in iDCs. CD1a⁺ CD14^– iDCs from 5 different donors were cultured with medium alone, BC (20 μg/mL), or E₂ (20 μg/mL). After 24 hours the supernatants were collected and analyzed by ELISA for the presence of TNF-α (A), IL-10 (B), and IL-6 (C-D). The secretion of IL-6 was significantly enhanced by E₂ (P < .05, n = 5). The boxes show the 10th, 25th, 50th (median, central line), 75th, and 90th percentiles of the variable (pg/mL IL-6, IL-10, or TNF-α). Statistics were calculated using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. When DCs were treated with graded doses of E₂ (▴) or BC (□), IL-6 was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner (D). Data shown in panel D are the mean ± SD of triplicate wells.