Macrophages play an important role in maintaining and resolving inflammation, especially in tissues.16,17 Following the dichotomic subtype classification of macrophages in asthma into pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages,17 our results suggest the macrophages to be pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, as deduced from elevated IL-6 and IFN-γ and unaltered IL-10 levels. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is asthma.