Degraded CGN Induce an Increase in ICAM-1 and TNF-α mRNA Expression The increase in surface ICAM-1 expression and TNF-α production by monocytes correlated with an upregulation of mRNA for these molecules. Both 10 kDa and 40 kDa dCGN induced a robust increase in mRNA for both ICAM-1 and TNF-α (Fig. 6). β-actin mRNA levels were not affected by dCGN treatment. 10.1371/journal.pone.0008666.g006 Figure 6 Degraded CGN stimulated ICAM-1 and TNF-α gene expression in monocytes. Representative samples of RT-PCR analysis showing over expression of ICAM-1 and TNF-α after stimulation of monocytes with 1 g/l of degraded CGN. β-actin expression was used as normalization gene. D