RESUMO
The immunomodulatory properties of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) from S. typhi Ty2 were studied in mouse model at 72 hr and 20 days post-infection. Inspite of reduction in the number of macrophages and their protein content observed in the immunized group vis-à-vis infected group, OMPs activated macrophages showed significant upregulation of NO. At 20 days post infection, the level remained almost the same suggesting the prolonged cytotoxic and cytostatic activity due to the long lasting effects of OMPs activated macrophages. Higher activity of SOD in these aged cells pointed out towards the protective efficacy of OMPs to keep the macrophages themselves away from the noxious effects of O2-. Lower level of acid phosphatase in the macrophages from immunized mice group indicated the involvement of oxygen dependent rather than oxygen independent killing process. The enhanced uptake of organisms and their killing could be related to the production of oxygen and nitrogen radicals in the OMPs immunized group.