Mycobacterial HBHA induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis through the generation of reactive oxygen species and cytosolic Ca2+ in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Mycobacterial heparin-binding haemagglutinin antigen (HBHA) is a virulence factor that induces apoptosis of macrophages. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis is an important regulatory response that can be utilised to study the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. In the present study, HBHA stimulation induced ER stress sensor molecules in a caspase-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with an IκB kinase 2 inhibitor reduced not only C/EBP homology protein expression but also IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) production. BAPTA-AM reduced both ER stress responses and caspase activation and strongly suppressed HBHA-induced IL-6 and MCP-1 production in RAW 264.7 cells. Enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and elevated cytosolic [Ca²⁺]_i levels were essential for HBHA-induced ER stress responses. Collectively, our data suggest that HBHA induces cytosolic [Ca²⁺]_i, which influences the generation of ROS associated with the production of proinflammatory cytokines. These concerted and complex cellular responses induce ER stress-associated apoptosis during HBHA stimulation in macrophages. These results indicate that the ER stress pathway has an important role in the HBHA-induced apoptosis during mycobacterial infection.     

Platelet-Activating Factor Evokes Ca2+ Transients After the Blockade of Ryanodine Receptor by Dantrolene in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

In the present study we studied platelet-activating factor (PAF)-, and ATP-induced increases in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) using RAW 264.7 macrophages filled with fura-2/AM and imaged with fluorescence video microscopy. We found that the prevalence of detectable [Ca²⁺]_i responses to PAF application was significantly higher in the presence of dantrolene. Dantrolene itself significantly decreased basal [Ca²⁺]_i of macrophages compared to control cases after a 20-min incubation period. In the dantrolene-treated cells even the peak [Ca²⁺]_i in response to PAF (as an average of all cells) was below the baseline of control suggesting that decreased [Ca²⁺]_i plays a permissive role in the Ca²⁺ rise induced by PAF in macrophages. In contrast to the effect of PAF, neither the amplitude of response to ATP nor the frequency of responding cells changed significantly during dantrolene treatment in our experiments. These cells were able to respond to a standard immune stimulus as well: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was able to increase [Ca²⁺]_i. Our data indicate that the effectiveness of PAF to increase [Ca²⁺]_i in RAW 264.7 macrophages depends on the resting [Ca²⁺]_i. It has also been shown in this study that PAF and ATP differently regulate Ca²⁺ homeostasis in macrophages during inflammatory response and therefore they possibly differently modulate cytokine production by macrophages.     

Inhibitory effect of caveolin-1 on endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in macrophages via p38 MAPK pathway

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs in macrophage-rich areas of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and contributes to macrophage apoptosis and subsequent plaque necrosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) on ER stress-induced apoptosis in cultured macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 cells were incubated with thapsigargin (TG) to establish ER stress model. And Cav-1 expression was detected by Western blot. After being pretreated with filipin(III), a caveolae inhibitor, RAW264.7 cells were assayed with flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy to detect cell apoptosis. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression were detected with Western blot. The results showed that Cav-1 expression was markedly increased at early stage of TG treatment (P < 0.05) and then decreased with prolonged or high dose TG treatments. The increasing of Cav-1 expression induced by TG in RAW264.7 cells was abolished under inhibition of caveolae by filipin(III) (P < 0.05). The effect of TG on apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells was further augmented after pretreatment with filipin(III) (P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that MAPK phosphorylation induced by TG was inhibited by filipin(III) in RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05), whereas CHOP remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These results suggest that Cav-1 may play a critical role in suppressing ER stress-induced macrophages apoptosis in vitro, and one of the mechanisms may be correlated with the activation of p38 MAPK prosurvival pathway.     

Macrophage arachidonate release via both the cytosolic Ca2+-dependent and -independent phospholipases is necessary for cell spreading

We have observed that phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activation and arachidonate (AA) release are essential for monocyte/macrophage adherence and spreading. In this study, we addressed the relationship between AA release and cell adherence/spreading in murine resident peritoneal macrophages, and the roles of specific PLA₂s in these processes. The PLA₂-specific inhibitors, (E)-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyran-2-one (BEL, specific for the Ca²⁺-independent PLA₂ (iPLA₂)) and methyl arachidonoyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP, specific for the Ca²⁺-dependent phospholipase (cPLA₂)) inhibited AA release and cell spreading in a correlated fashion but only modestly decreased cell adherence. Cell spreading was normalized by the addition of AA to PLA₂-inhibited cells. AA release during spreading was also inhibited by Ca²⁺ depletion or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition, and was accompanied by increased (but transient) phosphorylation of cPLA₂. Inhibition of macrophage spreading, however, only partially inhibited AA release. Moreover, constitutive AA release was seen in fully spread macrophages which was inhibited by BEL, but not MAFP or Ca²⁺ depletion. BEL also reversed the phenotype of fully spread cells. These data suggest that macrophage spreading requires the release of AA by the iPLA₂ (which appears to be constitutively active) and cPLA₂ (which appears to be stimulated by adherence/spreading). Maintenance of macrophage spreading, in contrast, appears to be principally dependent on the iPLA₂.     

Role of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 on arachidonic acid release induced by reactive oxygen species

Previous studies have shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) enhance arachidonic acid (AA) release and the subsequent AA metabolism in macrophages. The purpose of this study was determined the implication of phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in these events. Our results show that oxidative stress induced by exogenous adding of hydrogen peroxide or superoxide anion in macrophage RAW 264.7 and mouse peritoneal macrophage cultures caused a marked enhancement of calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) activity,whereas the increment of secreted PLA2 (sPLA2) and calcium-dependent cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) activities were slight. This increase of iPLA2 activity by ROS was rapid and dose-dependent. ROS also induced a significant [3H] arachidonic acid (AA) release. The iPLA2 selective inhibitor, bromoenol lactone, almost completely suppressed the mobilization of [3H]AA induced by ROS whereas antisense oligonucleotide against cPLA2 did not have any appreciable effect. Thus, our data show that iPLA2 activity is involved in the mechanism by which ROS increases the availability of free AA in macrophages RAW 264.7. Moreover, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, calphostin C, and calcium chelators had no effect on the [3H]AA release induced by ROS, suggesting this is a regulatory role of iPLA2.     

Curcumin enhances non-inflammatory phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells

Present study was performed to assess the effect of curcumin treatment on macrophage functions using RAW264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells was enhanced by the treatment with curcumin for 48 h while the nitric oxide synthesis from RAW264.7 cells following lipopolysaccharide exposure was blocked. The incubation of RAW264.7 cells with curcumin dose-dependently inhibited the stimulatory responses of macrophage triggered by lipopolysaccharide; the enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β and the up-regulated expression of surface antigens like CD14 and CD40. Curcumin alone, however, was able to increase the basal level of TNF-α secretion and elevated markedly the expression of CD14 and slightly CD40. The marked enhancement of both phagocytic activity and CD14 was detectable as early as 75 min after curcumin treatment which is the minimum time period required for the phagocytosis and CD14 measurement, suggesting a signaling pathway distinct from that triggered by apoptotic cells. In conclusion, this study elucidates that curcumin treatment enhances the phagocytic activity with blocking nitric oxide synthesis, a scavenger function of macrophages in non-inflammatory condition. In addition, this enhancement of phagocytic activity is triggered directly by the signals from curcumin itself not by apoptotic cells.     

Inhibition of reactive oxygen species down-regulates protein synthesis in RAW 264.7

In order to examine the endoplasmic reticulum responses in macrophages, we stimulate macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by LPS. We found the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2α and the expression of ATF4, GADD34, and GADD153 in RAW 264.7 cells in late time by the relatively large amount of LPS stimulation. Unexpectedly LPS in the presence of ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-l-cysteine rapidly induced phosphorylation of eIF2α and induction of GADD34 expression. We measured intra-cytoplasmic TNFα production in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. TNFα production induced by LPS stimulation was greatly suppressed by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. This suppression occurred relatively early, which correlated with early eIF2α phosphorylation indicating ER stress mediated shutoff of protein synthesis.     

利用慢病毒载体构建稳定过表达人VEGF_(165)的小鼠巨噬细胞系

目的:通过构建人血管内皮生长因子165(humanVEGF_(165),hVEGF_(165)的慢病毒载体,感染小鼠单核巨噬细胞RAW264.7,建立稳定高表达人VEGF165的小鼠巨噬细胞系。方法:将聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增得到的hVEGF_(165)和慢病毒载体pLVX-IRES-ZsGreen1双酶切后连接,构建慢病毒表达载体pLVX-hVEGF_(165)-IRES-ZsGreen1。再经双酶切和测序鉴定后,进行病毒包装及浓缩。将该慢病毒载体感染RAW264.7细胞,利用绿色荧光蛋白ZsGreen1进行2次流式分选。用Realtime-PCR、WesternBlot分别检测各组细胞中hVEGF165的mRNA和蛋白表达;ELISA分别检测细胞上清中人VEGF和小鼠VEGF的含量。结果:酶切及测序结果示慢病毒表达载体pLVX-hVEGF165-IRES-ZsGreen1构建正确;流式分选后得到高纯度的ZsGreen1-hVEGF_(165)-RAW264.7细胞。Realtime-PCR、WesternBlot显示该细胞特异高表达hVEGF_(165)基因和蛋白(P均0.01)。ELISA显示该细胞分泌人和小鼠VEGF均显著增加(P均0.01)。结论:成功构建hVEGF_(165)慢病毒表达载体,并建立稳定高表达hVEGF_(165)的小鼠巨噬细胞系。为深入研究该细胞的功能、机制及应用提供充足稳定的细胞来源。     

Chemokine receptor 5 blockade modulates macrophage trafficking in renal ischaemic-reperfusion injury

Chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a pivotal regulator of macrophage trafficking in the kidneys in response to an inflammatory cascade. We investigated the role of CCR5 in experimental ischaemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) pathogenesis. To establish IRI, we clamped the bilateral renal artery pedicle for 30 min and then reperfused the kidney. We performed adoptive transfer of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages following macrophage depletion in mice. B6.CCR5^−/− mice showed less severe IRI based on tubular epithelial cell apoptosis than did wild-type mice. CXCR3 expression in CD11b⁺ cells and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels were more attenuated in B6.CCR5^−/− mice. B6.CCR5^−/− mice showed increased arginase-1 and CD206 expression. Macrophage-depleted wild-type mice showed more injury than B6.CCR5^−/− mice after M1 macrophage transfer. Adoptive transfer of LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages reversed the protection against IRI in wild-type, but not B6.CCR5^−/− mice. Upon knocking out CCR5 in macrophages, migration of bone marrow-derived macrophages from wild-type mice towards primary tubular epithelial cells with recombinant CCR5 increased. Phospho-CCR5 expression in renal tissues of patients with acute tubular necrosis was increased, showing a positive correlation with tubular inflammation. In conclusion, CCR5 deficiency favours M2 macrophage activation, and blocking CCR5 might aid in treating acute kidney injury.     

Mycobacterium kansasii-induced death of murine macrophages involves endoplasmic reticulum stress responses mediated by reactive oxygen species generation or calpain activation

Although pathogenic mechanisms of tuberculosis have been extensively studied, little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of Mycobacterium kansasii. In this work the influence of virulence and ER-stress mediated apoptosis of macrophages during two different strains of M. kansasii infection was investigated. We show that M. kansasii infection is associated with ER stress-mediated apoptosis in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Infection of RAW 264.7 cells in vitro with apoptosis-inducing a clinical isolate of M. kansasii SM-1 (SM-1) resulted in strong induction of ER stress responses compared with M. kansasii type strain (ATCC 12478)-infected RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, inhibition of calpain prevented the induction of CHOP and Bip in ATCC 12478-infected RAW 264.7 cells but not in RAW 264.7 cells infected with SM-1. In contrast, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly increased only in RAW 264.7 cells infected with SM-1. We propose that ROS generation is important for triggering ER stress-mediated apoptosis during SM-1 infection, whereas ATCC 12478-induced, ER stress-mediated apoptosis is associated with calpain activation. Our results demonstrate that the ER stress pathway plays important roles in the pathogenesis of M. kansasii infections, and that different strains of M. kansasii induce different patterns of ER stress-mediated apoptosis.     

肠球菌溶血及非溶血菌株对小鼠巨噬细胞表达TNF-a的影响

【目的】探讨肠球菌溶血菌株及非溶血菌株对小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7表达TNF-а的影响。【方法】用多粘菌素B抑制排除内毒素污染对实验的影响。肠球菌溶血菌株、非溶血菌株各11株,以菌/细胞比 30∶1 感染RAW264.7细胞1 h,加入200 mg/mL氨苄青霉素继续培养24 h,分别于感染后3、6、9、24 h,用ELISA方法检测不同观测点细胞培养液中肿瘤坏死因子TNF-a的含量,并用逆转录-聚合酶链反应方法（RT-PCR）比较肠球菌溶血、非溶血菌株感染6 h后TNF-a mRNA表达的差异。【结果】未感染的RAW264.7细胞培养液中检测不到TNF-a。肠球菌溶血株感染组细胞培养上清液中各观测点的TNF-a的平均含量 (pg/mL) 均比非溶血株性组高。经t检验,P<0.01,差别有显著性。RT-PCR法检测其mRNA的表达也有相同结果：TNF-a mRNA在肠球菌溶血株感染细胞中的相对表达量比非溶血株感染的细胞高,经t检验,P<0.05,差别有统计学意义。【结论】肠球菌溶血株比非溶血株更能促进小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7产生TNF-а炎症因子。     

Histone deacetylase 9 deficiency exaggerates uterine M2 macrophage polarization

The maternal-foetal interface is an immune-privileged site where the semi-allogeneic embryo is protected from attacks by the maternal immune system. Uterine macrophages are key players in establishing and maintaining pregnancy, and the dysregulation of the M1-M2 subpopulation balance causes abortion. We separated two distinct mouse uterine macrophage subpopulations during early pregnancy, CD45⁺F4/80⁺CD206⁻ M1-like (M1) and CD45⁺F4/80⁺CD206⁺ M2-like (M2) cells. The M1 preponderance was significantly exaggerated at 6 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and adoptive transfer of M2 macrophages partially rescued LPS-induced abortion. RNA sequencing analysis of mouse uterine M2 versus M1 revealed 1837 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 629 was up-regulated and 1208 was down-regulated. Histone deacetylase 9 (Hdac9) was one of the DEGs and validated to be significantly up-regulated in uterine M2 as compared with M1. Remarkably, this differential expression profile between M1 and M2 was also evident in primary splenic macrophages and in vitro polarized murine peritoneal, bone marrow–derived and RAW 264.7 macrophages. In Hdac9/HDAC9 knockout RAW 264.7 and human THP-1–derived macrophages, the expression of M1 differentiation markers was unchanged or decreased whereas M2 markers were increased compared with the wild-type cells, and these effects were unrelated to compromised proliferation. Furthermore, Hdac9/HDAC9 ablation significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres in M2 Raw 264.7 cells yet decreased the capacity of THP-1-derived M1 macrophages. The above results demonstrate that Hdac9/HDAC9 deficiency exaggerates M2 macrophage polarization in mouse and human macrophages, which may provide clues for our understanding of the epigenetic regulation on macrophage M1/M2 polarization in maternal-foetal tolerance.     

Oxidized lipoprotein induces the macrophage ascorbate transporter (SVCT2): Protection by intracellular ascorbate against oxidant stress and apoptosis

To assess whether ascorbic acid decreases the cytotoxicity of oxidized human low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in cells involved in atherosclerosis, its interaction with oxLDL was studied in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Macrophages took up ascorbate to millimolar intracellular concentrations and retained it with little loss over 18 h in culture. Culture of the macrophages with oxLDL enhanced ascorbate uptake. This was associated with increased expression of the ascorbate transporter (SVCT2), which was prevented by ascorbate and by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Culture of RAW264.7 macrophages with oxLDL increased intracellular dihydrofluorescein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, both of which were decreased by intracellular ascorbate. Ascorbate also protected the cells against oxLDL-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis, but it did not affect macrophage accumulation of lipid from oxLDL or oxLDL-induced increases in macrophage cytokine secretion. These results suggest that ascorbate protects macrophages against oxLDL-induced oxidant stress and subsequent apoptotic death without impairing their function.     

Daxx通过上调caveolin-1的表达介导Ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡

为探讨Daxx对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,Ox-LDL)诱导巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡的介导作用及其可能的分子机制,用高效液相色谱法检测细胞内胆固醇含量,油红O染色观察细胞内脂滴的形成情况,流式细胞术和吖啶橙/溴化乙锭(AO/EB)染色法研究Ox-LDL对细胞凋亡的影响,Real time RT-PCR检测细胞内Daxx mRNA的表达水平,Western blot检测caveolin-1蛋白的表达,用特异性siRNA沉默Daxx在RAW264.7 细胞中的表达．Ox-LDL上调Daxx mRNA和caveolin-1的表达、增加细胞内胆固醇含量、促使RAW264.7细胞凋亡,用特异性siRNA干扰Daxx在RAW264.7细胞中的表达能降低caveolin-1的表达、减少细胞内胆固醇含量、以及抑制细胞凋亡．上述结果表明,Daxx对Ox-LDL诱导RAW264.7巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡具有介导作用,这一作用可能与Daxx上调caveolin -1的表达有关．     

The Interaction of Naegleria fowleri Amoebae with Murine Macrophage Cell Lines

The present study was undertaken to determine whether murine macrophage cell lines exhibited in vitro amoebicidal activity comparable to that elicited by activated murine peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages activated in vivo by bacillus Calmette-Guérin or Propionibacterium acnes demonstrated significant cytolysis of Naegleria fowleri amoebae. The macrophage cell line RAW264.7 also effected cytolysis of amoebae, but to a lesser extent than that elicited by activated peritoneal macrophages. However, the macrophage cell lines, J774A.1 and P388D₁, did not exhibit amoebicidal activity. Macrophage conditioned medium prepared from RAW264.7 macrophages mediated cytolysis of L929 tumor cells but had no effect on N. fowleri amoebae. In addition, neither recombinant tumor necrosis factor nor recombinant interleukin-1 exhibited amoebicidal activity. Scanning electron microscopy of co-cultures revealed that N. fowler bound to activated peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that RAW264.7 macrophages treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide are similar to macrophages activated in vivo in that they effect contact-dependent cytolysis of Naegleria fowleri amoebae. The RAW264.7 macrophages are unlike primary macrophage cultures in that they either do not release soluble amoebicidal factors into the conditioned medium or they release insufficient quantities.     

广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖对巨噬细胞RAW264.7免疫调节作用受体TLR4和TLR2的影响

确定广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖对巨噬细胞RAW264.7的免疫调节作用受体,探索广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖的免疫调节机制。采用MTT法测定不同浓度广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖对巨噬细胞RAW264.7增殖活力的影响,筛选出促进巨噬细胞增殖能力最强的浓度。用筛选出的β-D-葡聚糖浓度作用巨噬细胞RAW264.7;TLR4抗体和TLR2抗体分别作用巨噬细胞RAW264.7 1h,再用含有β-D-葡聚糖的细胞培养液培养。收集细胞培养上清和细胞,检测细胞培养上清中NO、IL-6、TNF-α、IFN-β的生成量;提取细胞内总RNA,采用RT-PCR测定巨噬细胞TLR4 mRNA表达量;提取巨噬细胞总蛋白,采用蛋白免疫印迹western blot测定TLR4的蛋白表达。广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖能够促进巨噬细胞RAW264.7增殖,增加NO、IL-6、TNF-α、IFN-β的生成量,提高TLR4 mRNA表达和蛋白表达,差异极显著（P<0.01）。TLR4抗体作用细胞后,NO、IL-6、TNF-α、IFN-β的生成量明显下降,差异极显著（P<0.01）。TLR2抗体作用细胞后,NO、IL-6、TNF-α、IFN-β的生成量下降,但差异不显著。广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖可以通过细胞表面受体TLR4激活信号转导通路,增强下游细胞因子的释放,从而调节巨噬细胞RAW264.7的免疫功能。TLR2可能不是广叶绣球菌β-D-葡聚糖的免疫受体。     

Molecular mechanism for adiponectin-dependent M2 macrophage polarization: link between the metabolic and innate immune activity of full-length adiponectin

The anti-inflammatory effects of globular adiponectin (gAcrp) are mediated by IL-10/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1)-dependent pathways. Although full-length (flAcrp) adiponectin also suppresses LPS-induced pro-inflammatory signaling, its signaling mechanisms are not yet understood. The aim of this study was to examine the differential mechanisms by which gAcrp and flAcrp suppress pro-inflammatory signaling in macrophages. Chronic ethanol feeding increased LPS-stimulated TNF-α expression by Kupffer cells, associated with a shift to an M1 macrophage polarization. Both gAcrp and flAcrp suppressed TNF-α expression in Kupffer cells; however, only the effect of gAcrp was dependent on IL-10. Similarly, inhibition of HO-1 activity or siRNA knockdown of HO-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages only partially attenuated the suppressive effects of flAcrp on MyD88-dependent and -independent cytokine signatures. Instead, flAcrp, acting via the adiponectin R2 receptor, potently shifted the polarization of Kupffer cells and RAW264.7 macrophages to an M2 phenotype. gAcrp, acting via the adiponectin R1 receptor, was much less effective at eliciting an M2 pattern of gene expression. M2 polarization was also partially dependent on AMP-activated kinase. flAcrp polarized RAW264.7 macrophages to an M2 phenotype in an IL-4/STAT6-dependent mechanism. flAcrp also increased the expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation in RAW264.7 macrophages, similar to the effect of flAcrp on hepatocytes. In summary, these data demonstrate that gAcrp and flAcrp utilize differential signaling strategies to decrease the sensitivity of macrophages to activation by TLR4 ligands, with flAcrp utilizing an IL-4/STAT6-dependent mechanism to shift macrophage polarization to the M2/anti-inflammatory phenotype.     

The interaction of Naegleria fowleri amoebae with murine macrophage cell lines

The present study was undertaken to determine whether murine macrophage cell lines exhibited in vitro amoebicidal activity comparable to that elicited by activated murine peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages activated in vivo by bacillus Calmette-Guérin or Propionibacterium acnes demonstrated significant cytolysis of Naegleria fowleri amoebae. The macrophage cell line RAW264.7 also effected cytolysis of amoebae, but to a lesser extent than that elicited by activated peritoneal macrophages. However, the macrophage cell lines, J774A.1 and P388D1, did not exhibit amoebicidal activity. Macrophage conditioned medium prepared from RAW264.7 macrophages mediated cytolysis of L929 tumor cells but had no effect on N. fowleri amoebae. In addition, neither recombinant tumor necrosis factor nor recombinant interleukin-1 exhibited amoebicidal activity. Scanning electron microscopy of co-cultures revealed that N. fowleri bound to activated peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 macrophages. These results suggest that RAW264.7 macrophages treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide are similar to macrophages activated in vivo in that they effect contact-dependent cytolysis of Naegleria fowleri amoebae. The RAW264.7 macrophages are unlike primary macrophage cultures in that they either do not release soluble amoebicidal factors into the conditioned medium or they release insufficient quantities.