INDUCTION OF AUTOIMMUNE PROSTATITIS USING LIPOSOMES IS ASSOCIATED TO PERITONEAL-CELLS ACTIVATION

PROBLEM: Study and characterization of rat peritoneal cells (PC) invol ved in the induction of autoimmune prostatitis after the intraperitone al administration of native extract of accessory glands (RAG) associat ed with liposomes (RAGL). METHOD OF STUDY: Induction of the autoimmune response in normal recipients by transferring PC or adherent-PC loade d with RAGL (RAGL-PC), but not with PC loaded with empty liposomes (L- PC). Characterization of the morphology, the ultrastructure, and the p henotype of L-PC or RAGL-PC. Study of the respiratory burst by the nit roblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay after stimulation with phorbo l myristate acetate (PMA) in both L-PC and RAGL-PC. RESULTS: Liposomes attached to the cell surface of the M phi were observed by electron m icroscopy. FAGS analyses showed a similar staining pattern with high e xpression of Ia molecules on L-PC and RAGL-PC compared with controls. PMA-stimulated L-PC or RAGL-PC markedly reduced the NBT compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the effective uptake of liposomes and the initial activation of PC together with a prolonged stimulatory effect help to disrupt the tolerance state. The present ex perimental model is an interesting approach to further characterize ev ents associated with antigenic presentation when an autoimmune respons e is triggered.