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Interleukin-1 production by antibiotic-treated human monocytes
Y Roche1, M Fay, M A Gougerot-Pocidalo
1Laboratoire de Biologie-Odontologie, Université Paris, France.
Abstract:
The effects of penicillin, macrolides (spiramycin and erythromycin), cephalosporins (cefaclor and cefadroxil), tetracycline (doxycycline) and quinolones (pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) on extracellular and cell-associated interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity from human adherent mononuclear leucocyte cells were investigated in vitro. When cells were treated with an antibiotic concentration of 10 mg/l, no apparent effect could be detected for penicillin, erythromycin, cephalosporins or quinolones, while a slight increase of extracellular IL-1 activity associated with a decrease of intracellular IL-1 activity was observed with spiramycin and doxycycline. When high antibiotic concentration were used, extracellular IL-1 activity was increased by macrolides and tetracycline, while both cell-associated and class II human monocyte antigen expression were decreased. A toxic effect may have been exerted by these antimicrobial agents, since cell viability was altered when they were used at high concentrations. In contrast, extracellular IL-1 activity was found to be decreased by quinolones and cephalosporins. Intracellular IL-1 activity was also decreased by cephalosporins, while quinolones did not modify either cell-associated IL-1 activity or class II human monocyte antigen expression. The effect induced by quinolones and cephalosporins occurred without modification of cell viability. IL-1 activity was shown to be affected by antibiotics over the same range of concentrations which are known to inhibit mononuclear leucocyte proliferation. Our data may help in defining the mechanism by which the mitogen-induced mononuclear proliferative response is suppressed by antimicrobial agents since this appears to involve the inhibition of IL-1 production or of its release.
Insights
Antibiotics impact interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity in human immune cells. Quinolones and cephalosporins decrease IL-1, while macrolides and tetracyclines can increase it, potentially affecting immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key cytokine in immune regulation.
- Antibiotics are widely used and can modulate immune cell functions.
- Understanding antibiotic effects on IL-1 is crucial for immune response modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of various antibiotics on IL-1 activity in human mononuclear leucocytes.
- To determine if antibiotic-induced changes in IL-1 activity correlate with cell viability and proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Human adherent mononuclear leucocyte cells were treated with different antibiotic classes (penicillin, macrolides, cephalosporins, tetracycline, quinolones) at varying concentrations.
- Extracellular and cell-associated IL-1 activity was measured.
- Cell viability and Class II human monocyte antigen expression were assessed.
Main Results:
- Macrolides and tetracycline increased extracellular IL-1 at high concentrations, with some toxicity observed.
- Quinolones and cephalosporins decreased extracellular IL-1 activity without affecting cell viability.
- Cephalosporins also decreased intracellular IL-1, while quinolones did not affect cell-associated IL-1 or monocyte antigen expression.
- Antibiotic effects on IL-1 occurred within concentrations that inhibit mononuclear leucocyte proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Certain antibiotics, particularly macrolides and tetracyclines, can increase IL-1 release, potentially impacting immune responses.
- Quinolones and cephalosporins reduce IL-1 activity without toxicity, suggesting a mechanism for suppressing mononuclear leucocyte proliferation.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between antibiotics and the immune system, influencing cytokine production and release.