Effects of isothiocyanates on tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by J774A.1 (BALB/c macrophage) cells.

The effects of isothiocyanates (ITCs) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by the J774A.1 mouse macrophage cell line stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined. Some individual ITCs examined showed a priming effect, which was expressed as pre-activation, but also inhibited the production of TNF-alpha with concomitant stimulation by LPS, as a triggering stimulant of TNF production. These results suggest that ITCs exert opposing activities that can enhance or inhibit the host defense system.