ObjectiveThe study was designated to establish macrophage model and investigate the production of proinlfammatory cytokines from macrophages induced byTreponema pallidum lipopeptide.MethodsDifferent doses of PMA were used to induce THP-1 cells for 24 h, 36 h and 48 h, then morphology of the cells and the expression of CD14 receptor were observed, so as to determine the appropriate doses and times of PMA intervention. Subsequently, the concentration of TNF-alpha, secreted by THP-1 cell stimulated with TP15, TP17 and TP47, was detected by ELISA, as well as the concentration of the same indicators after blocking the CD14 receptor.ResultsTHP-1 cells induced by 5 ng/ml PMA for 48 h, can be used as a model of macrophage in vitro experiment. TP15, TP17 and TP47 can induce THP-1 cells to secrete TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-8. The level of CKs secreted by THP-1 cells induced by 1000 ng/ml TP47 is higher. The level of IL-1beta and IL-8 decreased notably after blocking CD14 receptor. ConclusionsTP15, TP17 and TP47 can induce macrophage to secret cytokines, compared with TP47, the level of cytokines secreted by macrophages stimulated with TP15 and TP17 was lower, which illustrated that The latter two may not be the major pathogenic component of treponema pallidum in syphilis. Three lipopeptides stimulated macrophages through cell surface CD14 receptor molecules, and then lead to the activation of downstream signaling pathways and the secretion of the cytokines.