Our laboratory experiment revolves around how LPS (contained on the surface of bacterial cells) effects the activity level of macrophages. We determined the macrophage activity level by measuring how much IL-6 cytokine was elicited by the macrophages. Cigarette smoke has a direct influence on the amount of IL-6 elicited by a macrophage. Interaction between nicotine contained in cigarette smoke reduces the rate of IL-6 transcription by a macrophage. I have 2 working theories as to why the IL-6 elicitation is reduced. First, the nicotine changes the chemistry within the macrophage consequently reducing it's activity level. Reduced activity level would then explain the reduced IL-6 elicitation. Another theory is that the nicotine interferes
