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Azithromycin decreases Chlamydia pneumoniae-mediated Interleukin-4 responses but not Immunoglobulin E responses

Tamar A Smith-Norowitz1, Yvonne Huang1, Jeffrey Loeffler1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.

Plos One
|June 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Azithromycin reduced interleukin-4 (IL-4) in asthma patients

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacterium linked to respiratory infections and asthma.
  • Asthma may involve immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) responses.
  • Previous studies showed doxycycline's effect on C. pneumoniae-induced IgE and IL-4.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of azithromycin on IgE and IL-4 responses in vitro.
  • To determine if macrolides, like azithromycin, impact C. pneumoniae-related inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from atopic subjects were exposed to C. pneumoniae and azithromycin.
  • Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured using ELISA.
  • Experiments were conducted over 10 days with varying azithromycin concentrations.

Main Results:

  • Azithromycin decreased IL-4 levels in PBMC cultures.
  • Azithromycin exhibited a dose-dependent effect on IgE levels, increasing it at low doses and decreasing it at high doses.
  • C. pneumoniae infection alone led to decreased IL-4 and IgE levels.

Conclusions:

  • Azithromycin reduces IL-4 production in atopic individuals' PBMC.
  • Azithromycin demonstrates a bimodal effect on IgE production, varying with concentration.
  • These findings highlight azithromycin's complex impact on immune responses relevant to asthma and C. pneumoniae infection.

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