Enhancing and suppressive effects of tumour necrosis factor/cachectin on growth of Trypanosoma musculi.
The effect of human recombinant TNF on the growth of T. musculi has been investigated. When added to parasites cultured in vitro, TNF inhibited their growth. In the presence of thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal exudate cells, the opposite effect was seen and TNF enhanced the growth of trypanosomes in vitro. Similarly, administration of TNF in vivo during the course of infection led to a net increase in the parasite population. It is suggested that TNF exerts a direct antitrypanosomal effect while simultaneously promoting the growth of the parasite through an indirect effect mediated via the host's cells, possibly the macrophages.
Kongshavn
P A
PA
Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Ghadirian
E
E
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha