Abstract:

Objective To explore the protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and CCL3 in RAW264.7 macrophages challenged with Trichosporon asahii (T.asahii).Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with T.asahii or medium alone (control group) for 3, 6, 9, or 12 h, then the cytokine concentrations (TNF-α, IL-1β and CCL3) in the supernatants were determined using commercial ELISA kits.The numbers of viable RAW264.7 macrophages after incubated with T.asahii for 3, 6, 9, or 12 h were counted by using trypan blue staining method.Results The protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and CCL3 in the supernatants when RAW264.7 macrophages incubated with T.asahii for 3, 6, 9, or 12 h were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05).The protein levels of these 3 cytokines were gradually elevated with the extension of incubation time and peaking at 9 h.The numbers of viable RAW264.7 macrophages were gradually declined with the extension of incubation time.The numbers of viable RAW264.7 macrophages were significantly declined after incubated with T.asahii for 12 h (P<0.05).Conclusion RAW264.7 macrophages could secrete TNF-α, IL-1β and CCL3 when challenged with T.asahii and these inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the anti-fungal immune response of RAW264.7 macrophages against T.asahii infection.

Key words: macrophages, Trichosporon asahii, cytokines