Participation of tumor necrosis factor in the antitumor activity of mycobacterial trehalose dimycolate (cord factor)

Braz J Med Biol Res. 1989;22(3):341-4.

Abstract

Trehalose dimycolate, a mycobacterial glycolipid also known as cord factor, retains some of the antitumor properties of the intact BCG. Murine macrophages incubated in vitro in the presence of trehalose dimycolate for 20 h at 37 degrees C released a factor which was cytotoxic for the L929 tumor cell line. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocked the cytotoxicity of trehalose dimycolate macrophage supernatant. Therefore the antitumor activity of trehalose dimycolate can be attributed to TNF released in the in vitro assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cord Factors / pharmacology*
  • Glycolipids / pharmacology*
  • Macrophages / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Peritoneal Cavity / cytology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Cord Factors
  • Glycolipids
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha