[Endogenous counterinflammation and immunostimulation]

It is known since a century that inflammation is the cornerstone of the resistance against pathogens at the site of penetration. Recently, it has been shown that this beneficial effect can be found in a remote site. Furthermore, it is known that, at a distance from the site of inflammation, a decreased inflammatory reaction is observed: a counterinflammation. Concerning this counterinflammation it was found, at least in mice, that this antiinflammatory effect is equivalent or even superior to those of glucocorticoids. In mice, this counterinflammation effect is observed only 6 hours following the primo-inflammation, occurs in absence of T lymphocytes and is not mediated with bioproducts of the arachidonic metabolism. The increased host resistance against pathogens occurs later (3-10 days). It is observed against fungi, bacteria, parasites and even tumour cells. Among the possible effectors of such an increased resistance, a protein was purified to homogeneity (MW = 56 Kd, pI = 5, electrophoretic mobility of the alpha 1 globulins. This protein is with interferon gamma the more potent immunostimulant. Other effectors are presently under investigation: there are proteins involved in hematopoiesis and the cytostasis of tumour cells. It is therefore evident that in the course of certain inflammatory reactions, several substances may act as potent endogenous drugs: they are true phlogautacoïds.