Enhancement of human monocyte cytotoxicity by both interferon-gamma and -beta and comparison to other stimuli

RETRACTED: Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by sulfated exopolysaccharide from marine microalga Gyrodinium impudicum (strain KG03): involvement of the NF-kappa B and JNK pathway

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, as there are concerns about inappropriate re-use of published figures. In this study, the same Western blot has been used to represent different studies with different drugs (methoxychalcone vs ganodermanondiol), cell extracts (macrophages versus hepatocytes) and different targets (Nrf2 vs LKB1). The concern was initially raised in PubPeer, the response from author on PubPeer was not acceptable. The journal Editor in Chief requested the author to provide the explanation, however, the author was not able to fulfil this request. PubPeer - Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by sulfated exop… [pubpeer.com]

Antiviral and tumoricidal activities of alginate-stimulated macrophages are mediated by different mechanisms

Macrophages play an important role in host defenses by killing tumors and virus infections and producing secretory products. High mannuronic acid (HMA) containing alginate was examined to determine the mechanisms by which HMA-activated macrophages resist infection with HSV-1 and inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The ability of macrophages to resist infection with HSV-1 or to inhibit the growth of tumor cells was assessed following treatment with HMA alginate in the presence of either antibodies to various cytokines or inhibitors/scavengers of toxic macrophage products. Only antibodies to IFN-alpha/beta were able to abrogate the protective effects of HMA alginate in macrophages infected with HSV-1, suggesting that the antiviral activity induced by this immunomodulator was mediated by the production of IFN-beta. In contrast, anti-TNF-alpha, anti-IFN and inhibitors of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species were all able to partially abrogate HMA-induced cytostatic activity, suggesting that multiple mechanisms are involved in macrophage cytostasis. These results indicate that the HMA-induced intrinsic antiviral and extrinsic cytotoxic activites are mediated by different mechanisms.

Poly I:C-induced antiviral and cytotoxic activities are mediated by different mechanisms

Macrophages play an important role in host defenses against tumors and virus infections by killing tumor or virus infected cells (extrinsic cytotoxicity) and by limiting virus replication within themselves (intrinsic antiviral activity). Since common macrophage products may be involved in both extrinsic cytotoxicity and intrinsic antiviral activity, we decided to investigate the mechanisms by which Poly I:C-activated macrophages resist infection with HSV-1 and inhibit the growth of tumor cells. The ability of macrophages to resist infection with HSV-1 or to inhibit growth of tumor cells was assessed following treatment with Poly I:C in the presence of antibodies to various cytokines or in the presence of inhibitors/scavengers of toxic macrophage products. Only antibodies to IFN-beta were able to abrogate the protective effects of Poly I:C in macrophages infected with HSV-1, suggesting that the antiviral activity induced by this immunomodulator was mediated by the production of IFN-beta, which acted in an autocrine manner. In contrast, anti-TNF-alpha, anti-IFN-alpha/beta anti-IFN-beta antibodies and inhibitors of nitric oxide and C1q production were all able to partially abrogate Poly I:C-induced cytostatic activity, suggesting that multiple mechanisms are involved in macrophage cytostasis. Our results indicate the Poly I:C-induced intrinsic antiviral and extrinsic cytotoxic activities are mediated by different mechanisms.