Porins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa induce release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 by human leukocytes.

The aim of this study was to examine the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa components to induce release of cytokines from human leukocytes. Human whole-blood cultures were incubated with several concentrations of purified P. aeruginosa products, including porins, exomucopolysaccharide, lipopolysaccharide, and toxin A. Supernatants were assayed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities. All of the P. aeruginosa components except toxin A were able to stimulate the release of both cytokines. On a weight basis, porins were as effective as lipopolysaccharide and significantly more effective than exomucopolysaccharide in inducing IL-6 release (P < 0.05). Moreover, porins were more potent than either exomucopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide in inducing TNF-alpha release (P < 0.05). Further experiments using isolated leukocytes suggested that monocytes were the cell population predominantly responsible for the production of both cytokines. These data indicate that P. aeruginosa porins are able to induce significant cytokine production. These components may be responsible for the chronically overactive inflammatory response associated with persistent lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients.