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  • Title: Upregulation of T-cell-stimulating activity of mycobacteria-infected macrophages.
    Author: Kimura H, Maeda Y, Takeshita F, Takaoka LE, Matsuoka M, Makino M.
    Journal: Scand J Immunol; 2004 Sep; 60(3):278-86. PubMed ID: 15320885.
    Abstract:
    Macrophages are one of the most abundant host cells to come in contact with mycobacteria. However, the infected macrophages less efficiently stimulate autologous T cells in vitro. We investigated the effect of the induction of phenotypic change of macrophages on the host cell activities by using Mycobacterium leprae as a pathogen. The treatment of macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), GM-CSF and interleukin-4 deprived macrophages of CD14 antigen expression but instead provided them with CD1a, CD83 and enhanced CD86 antigen expression. These phenotypic features resembled those of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). These macrophage-derived DC-like cells (MACDC) stimulated autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells when infected with M. leprae. Further enhancement of the antigen-presenting function and CD1a expression of macrophages was observed when treated with IFN-gamma. The M. leprae-infected and -treated macrophages expressed bacterial cell membrane-derived antigens on the surface and were efficiently cytolysed by the cell membrane antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). These results suggest that the induction of phenotypic changes in macrophages can lead to the upregulation of host defence activity against M. leprae.
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