Effects of cytokines on Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced opsonophagocytosis of a murine macrophage cell line

Abstract

A murine macrophage cell line was incubated with opsonized Porphyromonas gingivalis and various concentrations of rIFN-γ, rIL-4 and rIL-10. The number of phagocyted cells were microscopically assessed. The results showed that IFN-γ upregulated macrophage phagocytosis to this periodontopathogen, and the upregulatory effects was abolished by anti-IFN-γ antibodies. Neither IL-4 nor IL-10 had any effects on opsonophagocytosis by this cell line. These results suggest that up-regulatory functions of IFN-γ on phagocytic activities of macrophages may play a crucial role in the induction of immune response to P. gingivalis. © Eur J Oral Sci, 2000.