Liposomal induction of a heat-stable macrophage priming factor to induce nitric oxide in response to LPS.

PURPOSE

The effects of liposomes on nitric oxide (NO) production from mouse peritoneal macrophages following intraperitoneal injection of liposomes were investigated.

METHODS

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were collected following intraperitoneal injection of liposomes and cultured with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Peritoneal washing fluid was also collected from the mice injected with liposomes. NO production was evaluated by measuring the concentration of nitrite in the macrophage culture supernatant by Griess reagent.

RESULTS

NO production stimulated by LPS was observed in peritoneal macrophages obtained from the liposome-treated mice, but liposomes did not active macrophages directly to induce NO in response to LPS. NO production was higher in the liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine than that of negatively charged liposomes composed of phosphatidylserine. Peritoneal washing fluid obtained from mice injected with liposomes has a capacity to induce NO production in the macrophages from naive mice. This capacity was not diminished by heat-treatment at 100 degrees C for 5 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Peritoneal macrophages were activated to produce NO in response to LPS following intraperitoneal injection of liposomes. They did not activate macrophages directly, and the induction of heat-stable macrophage priming factor, but not cytokines, is suggested.