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  • Title: IL-13 pre-treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages increases their anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity induced by lipopolysaccharides.
    Author: Authier H, Cassaing S, Bans V, Batigne P, Bessières MH, Pipy B.
    Journal: Int J Parasitol; 2008 Mar; 38(3-4):341-52. PubMed ID: 17923133.
    Abstract:
    Th1 cytokines and microbial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) activate macrophages to produce inflammatory mediators and effector molecules. Althrough Th2 cytokines often have an opposite action to Th1 cytokines and down-modulate the inflammatory response of macrophages, they can induce a distinct alternative activation that is beneficial in host defence. In this study, we report that IL-13 enhances the anti-Toxoplasma activity of LPS-activated murine macrophages. The inhibition of parasite proliferation was not related to reduced Toxoplasma gondii penetration into the cells, nor to the conversion of tachyzoites into bradyzoites. Used alone, IL-13 triggers the polarisation of macrophages towards type 2. However, in LPS-activated macrophages, we show the priming capacity of this cytokine to enhance the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a major marker of type 1 macrophages. This effect of IL-13 was not dependent on the activation state of macrophages (resident versus thioglycolate-elicited) or the timing of pre-treatment. We demonstrate a correlation between the enhancement of NO production and upgrading of the microbicidal effectiveness of the macrophages. Thus, both Th2 and Th1 cytokines could activate macrophages to control infections.
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