Effects of recombinant murine (rm) interleukin-12 and rm interferon-gamma in mice infected with Bordetella pertussis.
The recombinant cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-12 stimulate several macrophage-mediated functions that are important in host defense. An experimental pertussis model showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 10,000 U of recombinant murine (rm) IFN-gamma to mice at the time of Bordetella pertussis infection caused a marked and significant reduction in the number of colony-forming units of bacteria in the lungs. Administration i.p. of 1 microgram of rmIL-12 or 1 microgram of rmIL-12 at the time of and for 5 consecutive days after B. pertussis challenge also induced a significant reduction in the number. However, i.p. administration of 1 microgram of rmIL-12 with 10,000 U of IFN-gamma at the time of B. pertussis challenge did not provide protection. These findings indicate that exogenous administration of rmIL-12 and rmIFN-gamma enhances resistance of mice to B. pertussis infection.
Torre
D
D
Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Speranza
F
F
Pugliese
A
A
Perversi
L
L
Marone
P
P
Ferrario
G
G
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000628:therapy*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma