Background: Francisella tularensis, a causative agent of human tularemia, displaying the ability to proliferate inside the human cells. Aims: To evaluate the growth potential of F. tularensis LVS strain in macrophage-like cell line J774 modulated by recombinant interferon gama and E. coli derived lipopolysaccharide.
Results: Stimulation of J774 cells either by interferon-gama or lipopolysaccharide alone, or especially in combination before infection F. tularensis, revealed protective effects. Higher concentrations of stimulating agents were needed to inhibit ongoing F. tularensis infection.
Conclusions: Stimulation of J774 cell line by combination of interferon-gama with lipopolysaccharide inhibits the intracellular growth of F. tularensis.