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Local interferon induction by bacterial lipopolysaccharide in mice after pretreatment with Corynebacterium parvum
Abstract:
C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Corynebacterium parvum and subsequently, after an interval of 7-10 days, i.p. with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The peritoneal wash-fluid was recovered at various times after injection of LPS. Marked interferon (IFN) titers were observed between 2 and 10 h after injection of LPS, whereas no IFN was detected in mice injected with either C. parvum or LPS alone. Very low doses of LPS (0.1 microgram/mouse) were sufficient to cause IFN production in the double-stimulation protocol. The IFN produced was neutralized by an antibody against IFN-alpha/beta. In additional experiments, mice were treated by C. parvum alone; the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were recovered and stimulated in vitro by LPS. Again substantial titers of IFN were induced by small concentrations of LPS, whereas untreated PEC did not produce IFN. The cell producing IFN in these cultures was not a T lymphocyte, as experiments with a monoclonal anti-thy 1.2 antibody showed.
Insights
Corynebacterium parvum pretreatment followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection significantly enhances interferon (IFN) production in mice. This dual stimulation protocol induces high IFN titers, even with minimal LPS doses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interferon (IFN) production is a critical component of the innate immune response.
- Understanding the regulation of IFN production is essential for developing immunotherapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synergistic effect of Corynebacterium parvum and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on interferon production in mice.
- To characterize the kinetics and cellular source of IFN induced by this double-stimulation protocol.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with Corynebacterium parvum, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 7-10 days later.
- Peritoneal wash fluid and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were collected at various time points post-LPS injection.
- IFN titers were measured, and in vitro stimulation of PEC with LPS was performed. Neutralization assays with anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibody and experiments using anti-thy 1.2 antibody were conducted.
Main Results:
- Marked interferon (IFN) titers were observed 2-10 hours after LPS injection in mice pretreated with C. parvum; no IFN was detected with single treatments.
- Low doses of LPS (0.1 microgram/mouse) were sufficient to induce IFN production in the double-stimulation protocol.
- IFN produced was identified as IFN-alpha/beta, and the producing cells in vitro were not T lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- Combined administration of C. parvum and LPS creates a potent synergistic effect, significantly enhancing IFN-alpha/beta production.
- This double-stimulation protocol is highly effective in inducing IFN production, even at very low LPS concentrations.
- The primary cell responsible for IFN production in this model is not a T lymphocyte.
