RESUMO
The ability of Legionella species to multiply within human mononuclear phagocytes is usually regarded as being associated with their pathogenicity. Activation of host cells results in inhibition of intracellular Legionella multiplication. The most effective substance to induce macrophage activation, both in vivo and in vitro, is interferon-gamma. In addition, some evidence exists that macrophage-derived cytokines may contribute to the host defense against L. pneumophila, but the production of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines by monocytes after infection with different Legionella species has not been reported with regard to their ability to multiply within the host cells. We therefore examined the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TGF-beta by Mono Mac 6 cells after infection with Legionella species of different human prevalence that differ in their ability to replicate within this macrophage-like cell line. After infection, Mono Mac 6 cells showed a cytokine response with time kinetics characteristic for the cytokine. Maximum cytokine levels produced differed with Legionella species, but were not related to intracellular multiplication rates. Moreover, LPS-tolerant Mono Mac 6 cells, which failed to produce cytokines, showed intracellular increase or decrease of bacterial numbers identical to that of untreated Mono Mac 6 cells. By FACS analysis, an up-regulation of CD14 (LPS receptor) and CD54 (ICAM-1) could be demonstrated. We conclude that, in the Mono Mac 6 cell line, induction of macrophage-derived cytokines after infection with members of the genus Legionella mimics an inflammatory reaction without association with intracellular multiplication rate.
