Effects of carrageenans on the binding, phagocytotic, and killing abilities of macrophages to salmonella.

The effects of carrageenans (CGNs) on the host defense mechanisms of macrophages against Salmonella infection were examined in vitro by using macrophage-like J774.1 cells. Iota-CGN reduced the Salmonella-binding and phagocytotic activities of J774.1 cells, but it increased the killing activity of the cells. Kappa-CGN increased the binding activity, but reduced the killing ability. CGNs would affect the host defense mechanisms by modulating the macrophage functions.