title: Enhancement of cytokine production and natural killer activity by an Escherichia coli extract.
abstract: OM-89 is a bacterial extract of E. coli which is clinically used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Since immunological mechanisms may play a role in its action, its immunological effects were evaluated in vitro on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results showed that OM-89 enhances natural killer activity, as well as the spontaneous production of alpha-TNF and IL2. In the presence of various mitogens, it enhanced the production of IL1, gamma-IF, alpha-TNF and IL2. These data indicate that OM-89 acts on cell-mediated mechanisms by a direct and/or an indirect effect on monocytes, T cells and natural killer cells. These data suggest that the clinical activity by OM-89 may be related to its immunological properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Hematology and Transfusion, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Erasme Hospital, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wybran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schandene
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C050501:OM 89; D007371:Interferon-gamma