Pathogen- and Host-Directed Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Macrolide Antibiotics
Table 2
Anti-inflammatory effects of macrolides on phagocytes and structural cells.
Cellular target
Altered function
Mechanisms
Neutrophils
↓ Migration
Interference with (i) production of IL-8 and TNF-α by macrophages and structural cells, (ii) decreased expression of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelium and neutrophils, and (iii)↓ production/release of MMPs by fibroblasts and neutrophils
↓ production of ROS
Interference with NADPH oxidase, possibly by antagonizing the sensitizing actions of bioactive phospholipids
Macrophages
↓ cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α)
Interference with intracellular signalling mechanisms and transcription factor activation, resulting in suppression of gene expression
↓ decreased NO production
As above, resulting in decreased expression of the gene encoding iNOS
