Tyndallized Bacteria Preferentially Induce Human Macrophage M1 Polarization: An Effect Useful to Balance Allergic Immune Responses and to Control Infections
Serena Di Vincenzo,
Maria Ferraro,
Simona Taverna,
Velia Malizia,
Marco Buscetta,
Chiara Cipollina,
Valentina Lazzara,
Paola Pinto,
Marco Bassano,
Stefania La Grutta,
Elisabetta Pace
Affiliations
Serena Di Vincenzo
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Maria Ferraro
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Simona Taverna
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Velia Malizia
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Marco Buscetta
Rimed Foundation, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Chiara Cipollina
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Valentina Lazzara
Dipartimento Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Paola Pinto
Dipartimento Promozione della Salute, Materno-Infantile, di Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza “G. D’Alessandro” (PROMISE), Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Marco Bassano
Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi-Federico II, 80100 Napoli, Italy
Stefania La Grutta
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Elisabetta Pace
Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)—National Research Council (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Macrophage polarization is a dynamic process through which macrophages acquire specific features whose extremes are represented by M1 and M2 polarization. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-8 belong to M1 macrophages while transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β belongs to M2 cytokines. M2 polarization prevalence is observed in allergic diseases. Tyndallization is a thermal process able to inactivate microorganisms and to allow their use for chronic respiratory disease treatment via immune response modulation. The present study explores the effects of a blend of tyndallized bacteria (TB) on macrophage polarization. THP-1-derived macrophages were exposed to different concentrations of TB (106, 5 × 106, 107, 5 × 107, 108 CFU/mL) and then cell viability and TB phagocytosis, and IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TGF-β1 gene expression and release were assessed. TB were tolerated, phagocyted and able to increase IL-8, IL-1β and IL-6 gene expression and release IL-12 gene expression, as well as decrease TGF-β1 gene expression and release. The effects on IL-8, IL-6 and TGF-β1 release were confirmed in human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDMs) exposed to TB. In conclusion, TB promote M1 polarization, and this mechanism might have valuable potential in controlling allergic diseases and infections, possibly preventing disease exacerbations.