Suppression of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II gene expression in Listeria monocytogenes-infected murine macrophages.
Macrophage cells play a central role during infection with Listeria monocytogenes by both providing a major habitat for bacterial multiplication and presenting bacterial antigens to the immune system. In this study, we investigated the influence of L. monocytogenes infection on the expression of MHC class I and class II genes in two murine macrophage cell lines. Steady-state levels of I-Abeta chain mRNA were decreased in both resting J774A.1 and P388D1 macrophages infected with L. monocytogenes whereas reduction of H-2K mRNA was only observed in P388D1 cells. In addition, L. monocytogenes suppressed induction of MHC class I and class II mRNAs in response to gamma-interferon as well as the maintenance of the induced state in activated P388D1 macrophages. Exposure to the non-pathogenic species L. innocua or a deletion mutant of L. monocytogenes, which lacks the lecithinase operon, did not cause a reduction in H-2K and I-Abeta mRNA levels nor suppress expression of Ia antigens. Inhibition of MHC gene expression may represent an important part of the cross-talk between L. monocytogenes and the macrophage that probably influences the efficiency of a T cell-mediated immune response and thus the outcome of a listerial infection.
Schüller
S
S
Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Universität Würzburg, Germany. s.schuller@ic.ac.uk
Kügler
S
S
Goebel
W
W
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008087:Listeria / Q000254:growth & development; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development*; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017471:Receptors, Interferon / Q000378:metabolism; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor
D007371:Interferon-gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017471:Receptors, Interferon; D000096743:Interferon gamma Receptor