Modulation of Mycobacterium lepraemurium growth in murine macrophages: beneficial effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Mycobacterium lepraemurium grew progressively in monolayers of Proteose Peptone-elicited macrophages from C57BL/6 mice. Treatment of macrophage monolayers with gamma interferon led to an enhancement of growth of M. lepraemurium in macrophages. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor led to restriction of mycobacterial growth in macrophages.