title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha: central regulatory cytokine in the induction of macrophage antimicrobial activities.
abstract: Expression of activated macrophage resistance to infection requires the cooperative interaction of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and either interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 or granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor: no single cytokine is effective. For IFN-gamma and IL-2, the effector activity can be suppressed by the presence of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antibodies in the reaction mixture. IFN-gamma and IL-2, only in combination, induce TNF-alpha-specific mRNA and secretion of this cytokine by macrophages. Development of intracellular killing activity by activated macrophages also requires the autocrine effects of TNF-alpha. IFN-gamma provides the first signal for the production of nitric oxide (NO), the effector molecule for intracellular destruction of parasites. When IFN-gamma-treated cells are infected with pathogens, they are stimulated to make TNF-alpha. Expression of intracellular killing, as well as production of NO, is inhibited by anti-TNF-alpha antibody.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cellular Immunology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Nacy
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Meierovics
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belosevic
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000276:immunology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma