Endogenous interleukin-4, but not interleukin-10, is involved in suppression of host resistance against Listeria monocytogenes infection in interferon-depleted mice.
The production and roles of endogenous interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 in a sublethal infection with Listeria monocytogenes were studies in normal mice and anti-gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) monoclonal antibody (MAb)-pretreated mice. In normal mice, the expression of mRNAs for IL-4 and IL-10, which was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR, was induced in the spleens and livers either early or late in infection, although the serum IL-4 and IL-10 were not detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In vivo administration of anti-IL-4 MAb showed no effect on antilisterial resistance, whereas anti-IL-10 MAb partially diminished the defense. In anti-IFN-gamma MAb-pretreated mice, a delay in the bacterial elimination from the spleens and livers was observed and high titers of serum IL-4 and IL-10 were induced late in infection. Production of endogenous IL-4 and IL-10 was suppressed in both CD4+ cell-and CD8+ cell depleted mice. The suppression of antilisterial resistance in anti-IFN-gamma MAb-pretreated mice was canceled when anti-IL-4 MAb was injected late in infection, whereas anti-IL-10 MAb showed no effect. These results suggest that the host immune responses were polarized into the T-helper 2 phenotype in anti-IFN-gamma MAb-pretreated mice and that inhibition of host resistance against L. monocytogenes by depletion of IFN-gamma might be attributable to IL-4 produced by T cells polarized into the T-helper 2 phenotype as well as the inhibition of the IFN-gamma effects.
Nakane
A
A
Department of Bacteriology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Nishikawa
S
S
Sasaki
S
S
Miura
T
T
Asano
M
M
Kohanawa
M
M
Ishiwata
K
K
Minagawa
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma