Clofazimine-mediated augmentation of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor production in macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) exerts multiple biological activities including immune response. It is also believed to play an important role in anti-bacterial response. In this study in vitro, we observed augmentation of LPS-induced TNF production from mouse macrophages by clofazimine treatment. Rifampicin, however, did not indicate such an activity. Clofazimine itself, on the other hand, did not have any TNF-inducing activity. Clofazimine is a well known anti-leprosy drug; in addition, from the results obtained here, this drug could induce anti-M. leprae response of host by way of the augmented immune response by enhanced cytokine production from macrophages.