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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Characterization of Immune Cells and Proinflammatory Mediators in the Pulmonary Environment
09:00

Characterization of Immune Cells and Proinflammatory Mediators in the Pulmonary Environment

Published on: June 24, 2020

Mycoplasma Contamination Alters the Expression Profile of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines by Human Innate Immune Cells

Patricia Gogesch1, Stefanie Kronhart1, Marc A Niles1

  • 1Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, VPr1-Immunological and Biopharmaceutical Research, Langen, Germany.

Cell Biochemistry and Function
|August 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures significantly impacts human immune cells, affecting their viability and activation. This contamination can lead to misinterpretation of experimental results, particularly in viral infection studies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Mycoplasma contamination is a known issue in cell culture, affecting cell physiology.
  • The effects of Mycoplasma on viruses produced in contaminated cells and their impact on primary immune cells are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Mycoplasma contamination on human innate immune cells, specifically myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and macrophages (M1 and M2).
  • To determine how Mycoplasma-contaminated cell culture supernatant influences immune cell responses to various stimuli, including viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro differentiation of mDCs and macrophages from healthy donors.
  • Treatment of immune cells with supernatant from Mycoplasma-contaminated VeroE6 cells (SN(M)).
  • Co-stimulation experiments with SN(M), toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, and RNA viruses.
  • Analysis of immune cell viability, activation, and cytokine secretion (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10).

Main Results:

  • Mycoplasma contamination decreased immune cell viability and caused pre-activation.
  • SN(M) induced significant secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and IL-10.
  • SN(M) altered immune cell responses to TLR ligands and viral stimuli, influencing cytokine profiles.
  • SARS-CoV-2 produced in contaminated cells induced high IL-6 and TNF-α, unlike virus from non-contaminated sources.

Conclusions:

  • Mycoplasma contamination profoundly impacts human innate immune cells and their responses to stimuli, including viruses.
  • Experimental outcomes, especially in infection studies, can be misinterpreted due to Mycoplasma contamination.
  • Researchers must be aware of and control Mycoplasma contamination to ensure accurate results in immunology research.
Keywords:
MycoplasmaSARS‐CoV‐2cytokinesmacrophagesmyeloid dendritic cellstoll‐like receptor ligands

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