HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

NK cells mediate increase of phagocytic activity but not of proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-12) production elicited in splenic macrophages by tilorone treatment of mice during acute systemic candidiasis.

Abstract
The participation of NK cells in the activation of splenic macrophages or in resistance to systemic candidiasis is still a matter of debate. We had previously reported that there is a correlation between natural killer cell activation and resistance to systemic candidiasis. In those experiments we had used tilorone to boost NK cell activity in mice. Here we show a mechanism elicited by tilorone in splenic macrophages which could explain their effect on mouse survival during acute disseminated Candida albicans infection. The results demonstrate that tilorone treatment elicits, by a direct effect, the production of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], and IL-12) by splenic macrophages. In addition, it increases the capacity of splenic macrophages to phagocytize C. albicans through activation of NK cells. We also demonstrate that the presence of NK cells is essential for maintaining a basal level of phagocytic activity, which characterizes splenic macrophages of naïve control mice. The results demonstrate that it is possible to identify two phenotypically and functionally peculiar cell populations among splenic macrophages: (i). cells of the "stimulator/secretor phenotype," which show high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II surface expression, are poorly phagocytic, and synthesize the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-12, and (ii). cells of the "phagocytic phenotype," which express low levels of MHC class II molecules, are highly phagocytic, and do not secrete proinflammatory cytokines.
AuthorsJosé Juan Gaforio, Elena Ortega, Ignacio Algarra, María José Serrano, Gerardo Alvarez de Cienfuegos
JournalClinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology (Clin Diagn Lab Immunol) Vol. 9 Issue 6 Pg. 1282-94 (Nov 2002) ISSN: 1071-412X [Print] United States
PMID12414762 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Cytokines
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-12
  • Tilorone
Topics
  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Candidiasis (immunology)
  • Cytokines (biosynthesis)
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (analysis)
  • Interleukin-12 (biosynthesis)
  • Interleukin-6 (biosynthesis)
  • Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
  • Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
  • Macrophages (immunology)
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phagocytosis (drug effects)
  • Spleen (immunology)
  • Tilorone (pharmacology)
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: