title: Role of interleukin-12 in primary influenza virus infection.
abstract: The effect of endogenous interleukin-12 (IL-12) on the influenza virus immune response in BALB/c mice was evaluated. Following primary influenza virus infection, IL-12 mRNA and protein are detected in the lung, with live virus being required for cytokine induction. Endogenous IL-12 contributes to early NK cell-dependent gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production (days 3 and 5) but not late T-cell-dependent IFN-gamma secretion (day 7). IL-12 contributes to the inhibition of early virus replication but is not required for virus clearance. IL-12 also modestly contributes to the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Thus, in this model of experimental influenza virus infection, endogenous IL-12 contributes primarily to the early development and activation of the innate immune response.
authors.affiliation: Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trinchieri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007109:Immunity; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018664:Interleukin-12