In vitro expression of IL-1α, GM-CSF, and TNF-α by multinucleated macrophages from BCG-infected mice

D A Iljine1, S A Arkhipov, V A Shkurupy

  • 1Research Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences; Novosibirsk State Medical University, Russia. arkhipov@soramn.ru.

Insights

BCG infection enhances multinucleated macrophage formation in mice via increased amitosis and cell fusion. Binucleated macrophages show higher IL-1α expression, indicating a lineage commitment towards multinucleated cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macrophage differentiation and multinucleation are crucial immune processes.
  • Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection is known to modulate macrophage behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of multinucleated macrophage formation in vitro.
  • To compare multinucleated cell formation in intact versus BCG-infected mice.
  • To analyze the role of amitosis and cell fusion in this process.

Main Methods:

  • Explantation of peritoneal cells from intact and BCG-infected mice.
  • In vitro culture of explanted cells to observe multinucleated macrophage formation.
  • Analysis of multinucleated cell formation intensity and mechanisms (amitosis, fusion).
  • Assessment of Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression.

Main Results:

  • Multinucleated macrophages with varying numbers of nuclei were formed in vitro.
  • BCG-infected mice showed a higher intensity of multinucleated cell formation compared to intact mice.
  • Amitosis played an increasing role in forming multinucleated macrophages with more nuclei, alongside cell fusion.
  • Binucleated macrophages from BCG-infected mice exhibited elevated IL-1α expression compared to mononuclear cells.
  • Macrophages from BCG-infected mice displayed "lineage commitment" towards multinucleated cells, evidenced by high GM-CSF and TNF-α expression and amitotic activity.

Conclusions:

  • BCG infection promotes multinucleated macrophage formation through enhanced amitosis and cell fusion.
  • Binucleated macrophages in BCG-infected mice are characterized by increased IL-1α expression.
  • Macrophages from BCG-infected mice exhibit a predisposition towards multinucleation, indicated by cytokine expression and cellular behavior.

Related Concept Videos