Alteration of mononuclear cell immune-associated antigen expression, interleukin-1 expression, and antigen presentation during intra-abdominal infection.

Intact peritoneal macrophage (M phi) function is critical to successful localization of intra-abdominal infection. Peritoneal macrophage antigen presentation capacity (APC), interleukin-1 (IL-1) expression, and immune-associated (Ia) antigen expression and abscess formation were determined following cecal ligation and puncture. APC and IL-1 expression were measured by coculture with a T-helper cell clone and by measuring subsequent proliferation. Ia expression was determined in blood, peritoneal M phi, and splenocytes using anti-Ia monoclonal antibody stain and flow cytometric analysis. Significant reductions in both Ia expression and APC were found 1 and 4 days after CLP with no change in IL-1 expression. Muramyl dipeptide, which enhances M phi phagocytosis, partially abrogated the depression in antigen presentation but did not affect Ia expression. Peritoneal M phi Ia expression and APC, but not IL-1 expression, were depressed after experimental peritonitis. The recovery of M phi function by day 14 coincides with clinical recovery and abscess formation, and restoration of early M phi depression may improve outcome.