Korean J Dermatol.  1994 Apr;32(2):234-244.

Effects of Mycobacterium leprae , M . leprae Phenolic Glycolipid - 1 and Cytokines on the Nitric Oxide Generation of RAW 264 . 7 Macrophages

• Park SD
• Lee JS
• Lee BS
• Jun CD
• Chung HT
• Kim JG

Abstract

Background: Nitric oxide(NO) has been reproted to play an important role in macrophage-mediated microbicidal capacity for a variety of intracellular pathogens. NO generation is used as an indicator of microbicidal function of macrophages.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose is to investigate the production of NO rom macrophages phagocytized with Mycobacterium leprae or M. leprae phenolic glycolipid-1(PGL-1) for the purpose of elucidating the pathogenesis of leprosy.
METHODS
We used a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Macrophages were incubated with dead M. leprae or PGL-1, respectively and then treated with interfer n-gamma(IFN-r) and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-a). The release of NO was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring nitrite.
RESULTS
M. Leprae and PGL-1 failed to stimulnte NO secretion execept at high bacteria-to-cell rations(50:1)and at the higheat concentrat,ion(100pg/ml) of PGL-1. IFN-r or IFN-r plus TNF-a markedly stimulated macrophages phagocyt,ized with M. leprae or PGL-1 to release NO .
CONCLUSION
Defective IFN-r-dependent NO production of macrophages may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of leprosy.

Keyword

M. leprae; PGL-L; Macrophage; IFN-y; TNF-a; Nitric Oxidi

MeSH Terms

Cell Line
Cytokines*
Leprosy
Macrophages*
Mycobacterium leprae*
Mycobacterium*
Necrosis
Nitric Oxide*
Phenol*
Cytokines
Nitric Oxide
Phenol