Abstract: Objective To study the effect of BCG-PSN on the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-1β secreted from macrophage U937.  Methods Human mononuclear macrophage U937 were cultured and induced to be mature by PMAin vitro , and then divided into five groups: control group, LPS group, low dose BCG-PSN group, middle dose BCG-PSN group, high dose BCG-PSN group. TNF-α as well as IL-1β released from the U937 cells were detected by ELISA.  Results The level of TNF-α released from the stimulated U937 cells in BCG-PSN groups increased significantly than that in the control group (P<0.05); while the level of IL-1β in BCG-PSN groups had not significant difference with that in the control group.  Conclusions U937 cells could be activated to increase the secretion of TNF-α by BCG-PSN. BCG-PSN has not effect on the secretion of IL-1β.

Key words: U937 cells, tetradecanoylphorbd acetate, BCG voccine, tumnor necrosisfacteralpha