title: Gamma interferon levels during Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia in mice.
abstract: Host defense against murine Chlamydia trachomatis (mouse pneumonitis agent [MoPn]) in a murine model was investigated. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) was produced in the lungs by both MoPn-susceptible nude athymic (nu/nu) and MoPn-resistant heterozygous (nu/+) mice. In vivo depletion of IFN-gamma in nu/nu mice led to exacerbation of infection. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis disclosed induction of GL3 antibody-positive cells (putatively gamma/delta+ T cells) in nu/nu mouse lung during infection with MoPn. Treatment of nu/nu mice in vivo with antibody to NK cells (anti-asialo GM1 antibody) or to gamma/delta cells (UC7-13D5) did not significantly decrease IFN-gamma production in the lung. However, treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency mice (which lack gamma/delta cells) with antibody to NK cells significantly reduced lung IFN-gamma levels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Audie L. Murphy Veteran's Administration Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Grubbs
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schachter
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016513:Mice, SCID; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D007371:Interferon-gamma