COX-2 deletion increases circulating levels of lymphocytes and lymphocyte-related cytokines in fat-fed apoE^−/− mice.

Measurement of plasma levels of cytokines by multiplex immunoassay (a) demonstrated an increased in the lymphocyte-related cytokines IL-2 and IL-12 (total) and the neutrophil chemoattractant KC, but no change in levels of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-10 or IFNγ. Cell counts in whole blood (b), measured in parallel, indicated an increase in circulating lymphocytes, but not monocytes, neutrophils or eosinophils. *; p<0.05 vs apoE^−/−/COX-2^+/+ by unpaired t-test; n = 10–25.