The natural “killers” of bacteria termed bacteriophages (phages) are known for a long time. They again attracted increased attention quite recently as a potential tool in therapy of infections not susceptible to antibiotics. However, to ensure that such an approach is safe, it is important to examine whether or not phages influence an activity of human cells. Of particular interest are immune cells which rapidly change activities at inflammation and release variety of mediators. Since a key role in the expression most of them plays transcriptional factor NF-κB (Nuclear Factor kappaB), any changes of its activity are important indicators of initiated cellular response. Therefore, the aim of our studies was to determine whether bacteriophages T4 are able to affect an activity of NF-κB in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as monocytic cell lines U937 and THP-1. We have also examined an effect of phages T4 on the NF-κB activity induced in these cells by virus HSV-1. Using electromobility shift assay (EMSA), we show that phages T4 did not change NF-κB activity, while it was significantly elevated by HSV-1 in examined cells. Moreover, cells first treated with the phages and then with HSV-1 show decreased NF-κB activity in comparison with cells treated exclusively with HSV-1. These results indicate that phages T4 not only do not activate NF-κB but also may inhibit in yet unrecognized way its activation caused by other viruses.

Supported by the grant No. 2PO5B04727 from the Ministry of Education and Science, Poland

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