T4 phage and its head surface proteins do not stimulate inflammatory mediator production

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 16;8(8):e71036. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071036. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Viruses are potent activators of the signal pathways leading to increased cytokine or ROS production. The effects exerted on the immune system are usually mediated by viral proteins. Complementary to the progress in phage therapy practice, advancement of knowledge about the influence of bacteriophages on mammalian immunity is necessary. Particularly, the potential ability of phage proteins to act like other viral stimulators of the immune system may have strong practical implications for the safety and efficacy of bacteriophage therapy. Here we present studies on the effect of T4 phage and its head proteins on production of inflammatory mediators and inflammation-related factors: IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p40/p70, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIG, RANTES, GCSF, GM-CSF and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plasma cytokine profiles in an in vivo mouse model and in human blood cells treated with gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc were evaluated by cytokine antibody arrays. Cytokine production and expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC class II molecules were also investigated in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells treated with whole T4 phage particle or the same capsid proteins. The influence of T4 and gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc on reactive oxygen species generation was examined in blood cells using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. In all performed assays, the T4 bacteriophage and its capsid proteins gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc did not affect production of inflammatory-related cytokines or ROS. These observations are of importance for any medical or veterinary application of bacteriophages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Bacteriophage T4 / chemistry*
  • Capsid Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • HOC protein, T4 phage
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • gene 24 protein, Enterobacteria phage T4
  • gp23 protein, Bacteriophage T4
  • small outer capsid protein, bacteriophage T4

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science (grants no. N N401 417236 and 13-0089-06/2010 decision no. 0588/R/P01/2009/06) and EU Structural Funds (Operational Programme Innovative Economy “Optimization of characteristics and preparation of bacteriophage preparations for therapeutic purposes”). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.