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[Induction of interferon by Bacillus subtilis (author's transl)]
Annales De Microbiologie
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Gram-positive bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, can induce type II interferon, contrary to common belief. These components share biological activity with endotoxins but differ chemically, lacking lipid A.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- It is widely accepted that Gram-positive bacteria do not induce interferon.
- Interferon induction is primarily associated with Gram-negative bacterial components like endotoxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interferon-inducing potential of Gram-positive bacteria.
- To compare the biological activities and chemical structures of bacterial components that induce interferon.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of cells with Bacillus subtilis organisms, cell walls, and extracted endotoxin components.
- Assays to evaluate biological activities including B cell interaction, pyrogenicity, cycloheximide effects, and bacteriophage inhibition.
Main Results:
- Bacillus subtilis organisms, cell walls, and extracted components successfully induced type II interferon.
- These components exhibited biological activities similar to endotoxins, affecting B cells, pyrogen tests, and bacteriophage inhibition.
- Chemical analysis revealed significant differences from Gram-negative lipopolysaccharides, notably the absence of lipid A.
Conclusions:
- Gram-positive bacteria possess components capable of inducing type II interferon.
- The interferon-inducing substances from Gram-positive bacteria share functional similarities with endotoxins but have distinct chemical compositions.
- This finding challenges the established understanding of interferon induction by bacterial species.