Killing of Bacillus spores is mediated by nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase during glycoconjugate–enhanced phagocytosis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling and defense molecule of major importance. NO endows macrophages with bactericidal, cytostatic as well as cytotoxic activity against various pathogens. Bacillus spores can produce serious diseases, which might be attenuated if macrophages were able to kill the spores on contact. Present research was carried out to study whether glycoconjugates stimulated NO and nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) production during phagocytosis killing of Bacillus spores. Murine macrophages exposed to glycoconjugate-treated spores induced NOS2 and NO production that was correlated with high viability of macrophages and killing rate of bacterial spores. Increased levels of inducible NOS2 and NO production by macrophages in presence of glycoconjugates suggested that the latter provide an activation signal directed to macrophages. Glycoconjugates were shown to exert a protective influence, sparing macrophages from spore-induced cell death. In presence of glycoconjugates, macrophages efficiently kill the organisms. Without glycoconjugate activation, murine macrophages were ineffective at killing Bacillus spores. These results suggest that glycoconjugates promote killing of Bacillus spores by blocking spore-induced macrophage cell death, while increasing their activation level and NO and NOS2 production. Glycoconjugates suggest novel antimicrobial approaches to prevention and treatment of infection caused by bacterial spores.