Thermoregulation of IL-1α production and phagocytic activity of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide-induced mononuclear cells

Abstract

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and incubated at different temperatures (34, 37 and 39 ^oC). Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) was measured. Phagocytic activity of LPS-stimulated monocytes in terms of bacterial uptake and intracellular bacterial killing was checked at different temperatures and time intervals in vitro. Early elevation IL-1α was found in LPS-stimulated monocytes that incubated at 39 oC followed by cells that incubated at 37 oC and lowest level was detected at 34 ^oC. Similar trend was reported in the phagocytic activity in terms of bacterial uptake and intracellular bacterial killing. The sharp decrease in IL-1α was observed 12 h post exposure to LPS in LPS-stimulated monocytes that incubated at 39 ^oC only. While the decrease of IL-1α levels in other incubated temperatures (34 and 37 ^oC) was seen later than incubated at 39 ^oC. This report describes the striking effect of incubation temperature on activity of LPS-stimulated monocytes. This result explains clearly the important role of elevation temperature in modulating the immune response against external pathogens.