Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

A Microscopic Phenotypic Assay for the Quantification of Intracellular Mycobacteria Adapted for High-throughput/High-content Screening
Published on: January 17, 2014
Immunomodulating activity of rifampicin
H M Ziglam1, I Daniels, R G Finch
1Department of Infection & Immunodeficiency, Ninewells University Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK. hziglam@yahoo.co.uk
Rifampicin alters human monocyte cytokine production. This antibiotic significantly inhibits interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) while increasing interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) secretion, demonstrating immunomodulatory effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Antibiotics are known to influence immune responses.
- Cytokine production by immune cells is crucial in mediating inflammatory and immune processes.
- Rifampicin is a key antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of rifampicin.
- To determine how rifampicin affects the secretion of specific cytokines by human monocytes.
Main Methods:
- Human monocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or heat-killed staphylococci (Pansorbin).
- The effect of rifampicin treatment on monocyte cytokine secretion was analyzed.
- Quantification of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels was performed.
Main Results:
- Rifampicin significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (P<0.002).
- Rifampicin significantly increased the secretion of IL-6 and IL-10 (P<0.003).
- These changes in cytokine profiles were observed in rifampicin-treated mononuclear cells.
Conclusions:
- Rifampicin exhibits immunomodulatory properties.
- The antibiotic alters the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted by human monocytes.
- Rifampicin's capacity to modify cytokine secretion highlights its complex role beyond direct antimicrobial action.
More Related Videos
09:57System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Published on: April 5, 2017
07:28Metabolic Profiling to Determine Bactericidal or Bacteriostatic Effects of New Natural Products using Isothermal Microcalorimetry
Published on: October 29, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Types of RNA
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Translational Regulation
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis