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Development and Identification of a Novel Subpopulation of Human Neutrophil-derived Giant Phagocytes In Vitro
10:05

Development and Identification of a Novel Subpopulation of Human Neutrophil-derived Giant Phagocytes In Vitro

Published on: January 25, 2017

Inflammatory cytokine production by immunological and foreign body multinucleated giant cells

R Hernandez-Pando1, Q L Bornstein, D Aguilar Leon

  • 1Experimental Pathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutricion 'Salvador Zubiran', Mexico City, Mexico.

Immunology
|August 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) are key players in granulomas. This study reveals MGC actively produce inflammatory cytokines like IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha, influencing granulomatous inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Multinucleated giant cells (MGC) are characteristic of granulomas.
  • Their precise function in granulomatous inflammation remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo production and function of MGC in granuloma formation.
  • To characterize the cytokine profiles of MGC in response to immunological and inert stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a novel in vivo method for MGC production using nitrocellulose particles in BALB/c mice.
  • Utilized in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry to detect cytokine expression.
  • Distinguished between immune (I)-MGC and foreign body (FB)-MGC.

Main Results:

  • Granulomas with enriched MGC populations formed within 2 weeks.
  • I-MGC were larger and multinucleated compared to FB-MGC.
  • MGC produced interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) between days 7-28.
  • After 2 months, MGC showed high transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) expression and induced fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • MGC are active producers of inflammatory cytokines, contributing to granuloma initiation and maintenance.
  • MGC play a role in the down-regulation of granulomatous inflammation through TGF-beta production and fibrosis.
  • This study provides new insights into the dynamic function of MGC in immune responses.

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