Soluble non-cross-linked peptidoglycan polymers stimulate monocyte-macrophage inflammatory functions.
Soluble non-cross-linked peptidoglycan polymers are released by gram-positive bacteria when beta-lactam antibiotics are administered to humans. In this report, we show that this type of peptidoglycan can stimulate monocyte-macrophage functions that cause inflammation. Non-cross-linked peptidoglycan polymers from penicillin-treated Streptococcus faecium were purified and shown to stimulate the production of interleukin 1 by human monocytes and of colony-stimulating factors by a murine macrophage cell line. In addition, the release of plasminogen activator by human monocytes was inhibited by the soluble peptidoglycan. These in vitro results suggest that prolonged treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, by causing the production of soluble peptidoglycan, may result in interleukin 1-mediated inflammatory reactions, excessive production of monocytes and granulocytes, and increased fibrin deposition.
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011749:Pyrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D011108:Polymers; D011749:Pyrogens; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D013936:Thymidine