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Characterization and Partial Purification of a Macrophage‐Stimulating Factor from Mycoplasma hominis
Author(s) -
Peltier Morgan R.,
Freeman Angela J.,
Mu Hong H.,
Cole Barry C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2005.00316.x
Subject(s) - proinflammatory cytokine , mycoplasma hominis , tumor necrosis factor alpha , lipopolysaccharide , macrophage , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cytokine , polymyxin b , mycoplasma , immunology , inflammation , biochemistry , antibiotics , in vitro
Problem Mycoplasma hominis is one of the most common pathogens of the genital tract and is associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in reproductive tissues during preterm labor. The mechanism by which M. hominis , an organism lacking cell walls, increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines is unknown. Method of study We characterized and purified a macrophage‐activating factor from this organism. Results Extraction of whole organisms with Triton‐X‐114 demonstrated that the activity was primarily associated with the detergent phase. Macrophage‐stimulating activity (MSA) of detergent extracts of M. hominis was not inhibited by polymyxin B or heating but was completely abrogated by alkaline hydrolysis and partially reduced by proteinase K digestion. Further experiments that utilized Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐2‐ and TLR‐4‐transfected cells, revealed that the detergent extracts activate TLR‐2 but not TLR‐4 signal transduction. Purification of the activity using preparative SDS‐PAGE and reverse phase chromatography experiments led to the isolation of a 29‐kDa protein. Conclusions These experiments suggest that the MSA of M. hominis is due to a lipophillic factor that interacts with TLR‐2 rather than TLR‐4 (as does lipopolysaccharide), to increase tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐ α by macrophages. It is known that TNF‐ α can cause preterm labor and intrauterine fetal death and that it is upregulated in amniotic fluid samples infected with M. hominis .