Effects of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain on the natural killer (NK) activity and the interferon induction of mouse spleen cells in vitro

Abstract

Effects of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain (SpA CoI) on the natural killer activity and the interferon (IFN) induction in mice spleen cell cultures in vitro were studied. SpA CoI (1mg/ml) augmented natural killer activity 5.4 times higher than medium control. IFN induction by SpA CoI (1mg/ml) gave the maximum values on day 2. Furthermore, SpA CoI markedly enhanced IFN production in spleen cells of athymic nude mice. These findings suggested that SpA CoI activated mainly B cells and augmented IFN production.