Intracellular and Extracellular Cytokine Production by Human Mixed Mononuclear Cells in Response to Group B Streptococci

Group B streptococci (GBS) are a major cause of severe infection in newborns, pregnant females, and other immunocompromised hosts. Infection often includes septicemia, shock, pneumonia, and respiratory failure. In previous studies, we have reported that GBS induce marked production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by human mononuclear cells. The present study was designed to measure the production of TNF-α as well as additional cytokines, including interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) but also to determine from what cells and at what time point during incubation with GBS that these cytokines are produced. Mixed mononuclear cells were incubated with heat-killed GBS, media alone, or 1 μg of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Brefeldin A was added to each sample prior to staining, which prevented the export of cytokines by the Golgi apparatus. The cells were then stained with the appropriate conjugated antibodies and analyzed by using a flow cytometer. Results indicate that intracellular cytokines appear, in almost all cases, simultaneous to or before secreted proteins are detected. In contrast to the response to LPS, where TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 appear almost simultaneously, the human monocyte response to GBS results in the production of TNF-α but delayed appearance of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. The lymphocyte response to GBS was also strikingly different from that to LPS in that both secreted IFN-γ and IL-12 was detected, while LPS failed to induce production of these critical cytokines. This suggests an important role for TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12 in GBS pathogenesis and/or immunity.