Induction of interferon synthesis and cytotoxicity by murine peritoneal macrophages exposed to glycoprotein ligands.

Thioglycollate-induced murine C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN peritoneal macrophages synthesized interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in response to exposure to glycoproteins such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or mannosyl or fucosyl bovine serum albumin (BSAman of BSAfuc, respectively), but not glucosylated or galactosylated BSA (BSAglu or BSAgal, respectively). These results suggest participation of the mannosyl-fucosyl receptor (MFR) in this response. IFN synthesis was augmented by culturing macrophages in L cell-conditioned medium prior to exposure to these substances. Macrophages obtained from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-resistant C3H/HeJ mice did not produce IFN in response to HRP. Furthermore, IFN-induction by HRP was blocked by polymyxin B. In addition, exposure of macrophages to HRP or BSAman induced cytotoxicity against NIH 3T12 cells. Cytotoxicity was not inhibited by the presence of anti-IFN-alpha/beta. In contrast to IFN induction, however, macrophages activation was LPS-independent, since this activity was demonstrated in macrophages from C3H/Hej mice. The carbohydrate specificity of these responses suggests that the MFR or an another scavenger receptor may be involved in the responses to these substances, and that cytotoxicity and IFN-induction by glycoproteins follow unique pathways.