Activation of rat alveolar macrophages by gamma interferon to inhibit Toxoplasma gondii in vitro

We have investigated the effects of murine interferons on the ability of rat alveolar macrophages (AM) to inhibit the proliferation of the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This activity was determined by measuring suppression of 3H-uracil uptake into the Toxoplasma and by microscopic enumeration of the intracellular organisms. Recombinant gamma interferon (rMulFN-gamma), but not alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) was able to activate AM for antimicrobial activity in vitro. Maximum activation was achieved by incubation with 50-200 units/ml rMulFN-gamma and the activity was lost at one unit/ml. The highest levels of activation were obtained when macrophages were incubated with interferon for 48-72 h prior to the challenge with Toxoplasma organisms. Activation could still be obtained, however, when the interferon was added to the cultures as late as 2 h after the phagocytosis of Toxoplasma. Neither MDP nor low concentrations (1-1-ng/ml) of S. typhosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were able to activate these cells to inhibit the growth of Toxoplasma. Phagocytosis of Toxoplasma by AM did not result in the release of O2-, in fact the spontaneous release of O2- by these cells was inhibited by Toxoplasma. This inhibition was reversed by preincubation of the cells with rMulFN-gamma.