Effects of the dsRNA interferon inducer on the interaction between macrophages and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro

: Effects of the IFN inducer, yeast dsRNA, produced on the interaction between mouse macrophages and phagocytized mycobacteria were experimentally studied in vitro. Mycobacteria were shown to reproduce in macrophages in their initial infection at a ratio of 1:1.25, 1:2.5, 1:5 and 1:10, which was confirmed by an increased insertion of 5.6-[3H]-uracil in M. tuberculosis H37Rv; they also had a destructive impact on macrophages as verified by a higher release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDG) from macrophages. The dsRNA preparation, 40.0, 80.0 and 120.0 microg/ml, was demonstrated to decrease the insertion amount of labeled uracil in phagocytized mycobacteria at a macrophage:mycobacteria ratio of 1:10 and 1:100. The effect depended on a preparation dose and infection degree of macrophages. A decreased release of specific LDG from infected macrophages was shown under the same conditions. The dsRNA affects the interplay of macrophages and phagocytized mycobacteria through inhibiting the vitality of intracellular mycobacteria and through enhancing the stability of macrophages. Special studies denoted that dsRNA, 40.0 microg/ml and 120 microg/ml, activated the production of peroxidation compounds by neutrophils, which phagocytized the sheep erythrocytes. Finally, a possible mechanism of dsRNA impact on the interaction between macrophages and mycobacteria phagocytized by them is under discussion.