title: Protection of mice against the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes by recombinant immune interferon.
abstract: Immune interferon, available at high specific activity through recombinant DNA technology, is known to activate macrophages to intra- and extracellular cytotoxicity. We now report that murine recombinant IFN-gamma activates macrophages to cytotoxicity also when applied in vivo. Furthermore, recombinant IFN-gamma can protect mice in vivo against the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in a local as well as in a systemic infection model. The role of T lymphocyte-produced lymphokines in acquired resistance to facultative intracellular pathogens and their possible involvement in novel immunotherapy are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D007371:Interferon-gamma