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Interferon- gamma and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor augment the activity of polymorphonuclear

Cristina Gil-Lamaignere1, Maria Simitsopoulou, Emmanuel Roilides

  • 1Third Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|March 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Human immune cells show reduced antifungal activity against Rhizopus species. However, interferon-gamma and GM-CSF enhance immune cell function, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for invasive zygomycosis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Zygomycetes cause severe invasive infections, particularly in immunocompromised and diabetic individuals.
  • Limited therapeutic options exist for invasive zygomycosis, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the antifungal function of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) against Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus microsporus, and Absidia corymbifera.
  • To evaluate the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on PMNL antifungal activity against these zygomycetes.

Main Methods:

  • Compared PMNL oxidative burst and hyphal damage against three zygomycete species.
  • Assessed the impact of IFN-γ and GM-CSF, alone and combined, on PMNL function.
  • Measured cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-8) following PMNL-cytokine treatment and zygomycete exposure.

Main Results:

  • PMNLs exhibited significantly lower antifungal activity against Rhizopus species compared to A. corymbifera.
  • Incubation with IFN-γ and/or GM-CSF enhanced PMNL-induced hyphal damage against all three zygomycete species.
  • Combined IFN-γ and GM-CSF treatment increased TNF-α release and decreased IL-8 release.

Conclusions:

  • Rhizopus species are less susceptible to human PMNLs than A. corymbifera.
  • IFN-γ and GM-CSF can augment PMNL-mediated hyphal damage, indicating their potential role in managing invasive zygomycosis.

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