INDUCED PRODUCTION OF NITRIC-OXIDE, TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR, AND INTERLEUKIN-6 IN RAW-264.7 MACROPHAGES BY STREPTOMYCETES FROM INDOOR AIR OF MOLDY HOUSES

Dampness and mold growth in buildings cause spore generation into indo or air, which is associated with respiratory tract disorders. Specific agents or cellular mechanisms of diseases have not yet been identifie d. In this study, airborne spores of Streptomyces sp., isolated from m oldy houses, stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, which produced tumor nec rosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 and induced the expression of ind ucible nitric oxide synthase, with subsequent nitric oxide production. Spores of other microorganisms typically found in moldy houses did no t markedly increase the production of these inflammatory mediators. Th e data implied a mechanism by which Streptomyces sp. may lead to respi ratory tract disorders in individuals who live in moldy houses.