Bacterial peptidoglycan polysaccharides in sterile human spleen induce proinflammatory cytokine production by human blood cells.
Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major component of the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria. In vitro, PG isolated from conventional bacterial cultures can induce secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by human monocytes, indicating that PG may be involved in immune responses against infections by gram-positive bacteria. To investigate the biologic activity of PG in human tissues, an improved method was developed to isolate significant amounts of PG from sterile human spleen tissue. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that PG isolated from human spleen is largely intact. Human whole blood cell cultures were able to produce the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 and -6 after stimulation with PG isolated from human spleen. Cytokine induction was not sensitive to inhibition by polymyxin B, in contrast to lipopolysaccharide. Collectively, the data show that intact PG in sterile human tissue is biologically active and may induce local proinflammatory cytokine production.
Schrijver
I A
IA
Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Rotterdam 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. schrijver@immu.fgg.eru.nl
Melief
M J
MJ
Eulderink
F
F
Hazenberg
M P
MP
Laman
J D
JD
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009112:Muramic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009112:Muramic Acids; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha