Mycoplasma gallisepticum -induced release of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta from chicken monocytes-macrophages.

Chicken monocytes and a macrophage-like cell line were used to determine the presence of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta). RNA was extracted from these cells and subjected to reverse transcription with an anti-sense primer specific for the whole length of the MIP-1 beta cDNA. After a polymerase chain reaction to amplify the cDNA, a 200 bp gene product was detected, which corresponded to the molecular weight of the MIP-1 beta. The culture supernate of these cells did not have the ability to attract heterophils. However, after infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum, a potent chemotactic substance in the culture supernate was detected. The chemotactic activity could be neutralized by antibodies prepared against two 10-amino-acid peptides of MIP-1 beta, indicating that the substance was MIP-1 beta.