Selective induction of transforming growth factor β in human monocytes by lipoarabinomannan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The induction of macrophage-deactivating (interleukin-10 [IL-10] and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-β]) and macrophage-activating (IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) cytokines by lipoarabinomannan (LAM) from pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman and H37Rv strains (ManLAM) and nonpathogenic mycobacteria (AraLAM) in human blood monocytes was examined. ManLAM was significantly less potent in induction of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 protein and mRNA, whereas its ability to induce TGF-β was similar to that of AraLAM. Differences in induction of TNF-α mRNA by the two LAM preparations only became apparent at late time points of culture (24 h). The induction of TNF-α and IL-1 by purified protein derivative of M. tuberculosis was significantly stronger than that by ManLAM. Pretreatment of monocytes with ManLAM did not, however, interfere with cytokine induction by lipopolysaccharide or AraLAM. The extensive mannosyl capping of arabinose termini of ManLAM may underlie the lack of ability to induce some cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, and IL-10) and the retained ability to induce TGF-β. The latter may have a role in shifting the cytokine milieu in favor of survival of M. tuberculosis.