Interleukin-1 production by antibiotic-treated human monocytes

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.