Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced monocyte interleukin 1 secretion by gangliosides

Gangliosides known to be potent immunosuppressors are shown to inhibit the secretion of interleukin 1 (IL 1) by human monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The inhibitory activity was observed either with mono-, di- or trisialogangliosides. The inhibition of LPS-induced IL 1 secretion was obtained in the presence of indomethacin, indicating that the ganglioside inhibitory capacity was not due to prostaglandin induction. Indeed the inhibitory activity seems to be mediated by an interaction with LPS molecules, preventing their ability to deliver a signal to monocytes for IL 1 secretion.