title: Endogenous interleukin-4 does not suppress the resistance against a primary or a secondary Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice.
abstract: Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine produced by T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, can inhibit the development of T-helper 1 (Th1) cells, which results in a decreased release of cytokines by the latter. As interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), produced by Th1 cells, is involved in the resistance against a Listeria monocytogenes infection, the role of endogenously formed IL-4 during a Listeria infection in mice was investigated. Neutralization of endogenously formed cytokines by subcutaneously injected alginate-encapsulated monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-forming cells results in high antibody titres in the circulation over a long time period. The aim of the present study was to reevaluate the effect of neutralization of IL-4 during a primary Listeria infection and to investigate the role of IL-4 during a secondary infection in mice using encapsulated MoAb-forming cells. During the course of a primary infection in mice given anti-IL-4 antibody-forming cells (anti-IL-4-FC), the number of Listeria found in the liver and spleen was comparable to that found in control mice given anti-beta-galactosidase antibody-forming cells (anti-beta-gal-FC). Activation of macrophages measured by inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii proliferation and the release of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) was not affected by anti-IL-4-FC treatment during infection. Furthermore, during a secondary L. monocytogenes infection the number of bacteria in the liver and spleen of anti-IL-4-treated immune mice was comparable to anti-beta-gal-FC-treated, control, immune mice. The concentration of IFN-gamma in plasma of anti-IL-4-treated immune mice was similar to that of control immune mice. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that neutralization of endogenously formed IL-4 does not affect resistance to a primary or a secondary L. monocytogenes infection in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Samsom
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Annema
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Langermans
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Furth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009500:Neutralization Tests
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4