title: Effects of IL-13 on murine listeriosis.
abstract: Acquired resistance against Listeria monocytogenes is a typical T helper (Th) 1 dominated immune response, whereas Th2 cytokines are thought to worsen listeriosis. We investigated effects of recombinant IL-13 (rIL-13) on the host response to L. monocytogenes in mice. Although IL-13 has been described as a Th2 cytokine with deactivating anti-inflammatory activities, it was found to enhance antilisterial resistance. In vitro, rIL-13 increased IL-12 p40 and p70 production by bone marrow macrophages infected with L. monocytogenes. In vivo, numbers of viable bacteria in spleens and livers were decreased after treatment of mice with rIL-13. In addition, granuloma formation was impaired and NK cell activity of spleen cells was enhanced. At the onset of infection, frequencies of IL-12-producing cells were increased and numbers of IL-4- and IFN-gamma-secreting cells were diminished in rIL-13-treated mice as compared to controls. In contrast, on day 6 after infection, IL-12, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels in rIL-13-treated animals were equal to or even higher than those in controls. Although direct activation of host macrophages by IL-13 is possible, we consider it more likely that IL-13 acted indirectly through stimulation of IL-12 production and inhibition of IL-4 release early after infection. In contrast, our data argue against an apparent role of IFN-gamma in IL-13-induced antilisterial resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Flesch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wandersee
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006099:Granuloma / Q000517:prevention & control; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018793:Interleukin-13; D011994:Recombinant Proteins