T cell-monocyte contact enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in response to Mycobacterium leprae.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been implicated as a key factor in inflammatory processes occurring in erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). In the present study, the roles of soluble factors and contact-mediated interaction in the induction of enhanced TNF-alpha secretion in leprosy have been investigated. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Mycobacterium leprae per se is a poor stimulus for TNF-alpha production by purified monocytes obtained from normal subjects, although this could be enhanced by either exogenous interferon-gamma or cell contact with fixed activated T lymphocytes. Further investigations demonstrated that monocyte-T cell contact enhanced M. leprae-induced TNF-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ENL patients and was modulated by blocking antibodies to CD40L, CD69, and CD18. These results suggest that physical contact with T cells isolated from patients in a particular disease state (ENL) modulates monocyte function and may contribute to the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines described in ENL.

• Authors: E P Sampaio, R B Oliveira, J Warwick-Davies, R B Neto, G E Griffin, R J Shattock
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 182 Issue 5 Pg. 1463-72 (Nov 2000) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11023469 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adult
• Cell Communication
• Cells, Cultured
• Erythema Nodosum (immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Leprosy (immunology)
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors (physiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Monocytes (physiology)
• Mycobacterium leprae (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes (physiology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis)