Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and penicillin/streptomycin were obtained from Thermo Fisher Scientific (MA, USA). Griess Reagent (1% sulfanilamide in 5% H 3 PO 4 , 0.1% N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride), LPS from E. coli 0128:B18, and dexamethasone were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (MO, USA).