title: Effect of cortisol and/or DHEA on THP1-derived macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem requiring an appropriate cell immune response to be controlled. Macrophages play a central role in the response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Given our prior studies in which adrenal steroids were found to modify the cellular immune responses from TB patients, it was sensible to analyze the immunomodulatory capability of cortisol and DHEA on macrophages infected with Mtb. The human macrophage-like THP-1 cells were infected with the H37Rv strain of Mtb and treated with Cortisol and DHEA at different doses. We monitored phagocytosis, intracellular-bacterial growth, autophagosoma formation, as well as cytokine gene expression and production. Cultures exposed to cortisol showed a decreased production of IL-1β, TNF-α, with DHEA being unable to modify the pattern of cytokine production or to reverse the cortisol inhibitory effects. Interestingly the intra-macrophagic bacterial burden was found reduced by DHEA treatment. While this effect was not related to a different cytokine pattern, in terms their production or mRNA expression, DHEA treatment did promote autophagy in Mtb-infected macrophages, irrespective of Cortisol presence. In essence, the better control of Mtb load by DHEA-treated macrophages seems to be dependent on an autophagic mechanism. The present results are relevant for two reasons as autophagy is not only important for clearance of mycobacteria but also for the prevention of tissue damage.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IdICER-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 590, Rosario, Argentina. Electronic address: bettina.bongiovanni@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bongiovanni
authors.affiliation: Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco De Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, México D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Dulce
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mata-Espinosa
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IdICER-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 590, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Attilio
authors.affiliation: Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco De Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, México D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Leon-Contreras
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano 1, Tlalpan, México D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marquez-Velasco
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IdICER-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 590, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bottasso
authors.affiliation: Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco De Quiroga 15, Tlalpan, México D.F., Mexico.
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Pando
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IdICER-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 590, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bay
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Autophagy; Cortisol; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Macrophages; Mycobacterium tuberculosis