Cytokine mRNA profiles during the course of experimental Haemophilus influenzae bacterial meningitis.
Intraperitoneal inoculation of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) to 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in nonlethal meningitis with high levels of leukocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positive bacterial culture. Using in situ hybridization, levels of cytokine mRNA-expressing cells were determined in the brain, CSF, and spleen from Hib-inoculated and uninfected control rats. IFN-gamma, IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha mRNA levels were elevated at 12 hr postinoculation (pi) in spleen and CSF. At this time point, strong expression of IL-6 and TGF-beta was detected in the brain, and also of IL-10 at 48 hr while IFN-gamma and IL-12 were expressed at very low levels throughout the observation time. Delayed cytokine induction occurred in CSF compared to spleen and brain. TGF-beta was high in CSF at 48 hr, and some elevation of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-12 was evident at 72 hr pi. This may suggest measures that promote production of TGF-beta and/or IL-10 should be evaluated in treatment of bacterial meningitis.
Diab
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Division of Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Zhu
J
J
Lindquist
L
L
Wretlind
B
B
Link
H
H
Bakhiet
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger