Inhibition of Secretion of Interleukin-1α and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha by the Ketolide Antibiotic Telithromycin

The antibiotic telithromycin was examined for its effect on secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes of eight human donors. Secretion of each cytokine was significantly increased by LPS alone, whereas treatment with telithromycin significantly inhibited secretion of IL-1α and TNF-α but not secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10. Telithromycin had immunomodulatory effects as a result of alteration of secretion of IL-1α and TNF-α by monocytes.