Measurement of respiratory burst of TNF and IL-1 cytokine activated murine peritoneal macrophages challenged with Toxoplasma gondii.

In vitro activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by TNF and IL-I cytokines resulted in significant elevation of respiratory burst (toxic oxygen metabolites) in comparison to inactivated cells when challenged with Toxoplasma gondii. These oxygen metabolites have been known to have microbicidal activity and so, they may be the direct cause of intracellular killing of T. gondii tachyzoites. The level of these oxygen metabolites was measured by chemiluminescence index. A possible biotherapeutic role for TNF and IL-1, through this mechanism, was also emphasized.